Aminoquinoline based highly sensitive fluorescent sensor for lead(II) and aluminum(III) and its application in live cell imaging

•Aminoquinoline derivative was synthesized and used to recognize Pb2+/Al3+.•ANQ was high sensitive, selective and turn-on sensor for Pb2+/Al3+.•The Pb2+ detection limit (2.08 × 10−9 mol L−1) is reported.•This fluorescence change was further supported by DFT/TD-DFT calculations.•The probe is applied successfully for recognizing intracellular Pb2+/Al3+ within living cells.

We have synthesized a new probe 5-((anthracen-9-ylmethylene) amino)quinolin-10-ol (ANQ) based on anthracene platform. The probe was tested for its sensing behavior toward heavy metal ions Hg2+, Pb2+, light metal Al3+ ion, alkali, alkaline earth, and transition metal ions by UV–visible and fluorescent techniques in ACN/H2O mixture buffered with HEPES (pH 7.4). It shows high selectivity toward sensing Pb2+/Al3+ metal ions. Importantly, 10-fold and 5- fold fluorescence enhancement at 429 nm was observed for probe upon complexation with Pb2+ and Al3+ ions, respectively. This fluorescence enhancement is attributable to the prevention of photoinduced electron transfer. The photonic studies indicate that the probe can be adopted as a sensitive fluorescent chemosensor for Pb2+ and Al3+ ions.

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