A new rhodamine derivative-based chemosensor for highly selective and sensitive determination of Cu2+

• Turn-on fluorescence chemosensor of a novel rhodamine derivative bearing a pyrrole unit was high selective to Cu2+ ion more than other metal ions in aqueous/organic media.
• Detection limit of the rhodamine chemosensor was lower than the limit value of Cu2+ concentration in drinking water and human serum.
• The fluorescent probe was successfully applied to detect Cu2+ in biological and environmental samples and to monitor Cu2+ ion in intracellular living cells.
• R1 sensor was demonstrated in a form of paper for applying in natural water.

A new rhodamine derivative (R1) has been synthesized by a hydrazone formation of rhodamine B hydrazide with pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde and its binding affinity to metal ions were examined. R1 shows highly binding selectivity to Cu2+ over commonly coexistent metal ions in neutral aqueous-organic media including alkali, alkaline-earth and transition metals. The linear response to Cu2+ was obtained across the concentration range of 0.4–10 μM with the detection limit of 280 nM. Using newly synthesized probe R1, determination of Cu2+ concentration in drinking water and serums, and living cell imaging of Cu2+ were carried out. Also, by incorporating the R1 with filter paper, the sensor was performed in Cu2+ spiked samples.

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