Nanomolar Cu2+ and F− naked-eye detection with a 1,8-naphthalimide-based colorimetric probe

Based on hydrolysis reaction by Cu2+ and intermolecular hydrogen bond, a dual functional colorimetric probe, a novel 1,8-naphthalimide derivative was designed and synthesized for Cu2+ and F− naked-eye recognition with high sensitivity and excellent selectivity. The probe can detect Cu2+ and F− quantitatively in concentration range of 0-16.7 μM and 0-23.3 μM, and the detection limit could be as low as 370 nM for Cu2+ and 720 nM for F−.