A highly selective fluorescent chemosensor for iron ion based on 1H-imidazo [4,5-b] phenazine derivative

•We synthesized a novel sensor was never reported and explored the interaction of the sensor and Fe3+ by MS, XRD and IR.•The fluorescence revealed that receptor S is an excellent sensor in the recognition to Fe3+ (very few reported) selectively.•The test strips were containing S were fabricated, which also shows a highly sensitively to Fe3+.

Two kinds of fluorescent sensors (S and S1) for Fe3+ bearing 1H-Imidazo [4,5-b] phenazine derivatives have been designed and synthesized. Between the two sensors, S showed excellent fluorescent specific selectivity and high sensitivity for Fe3+ in DMSO solution. The test strip based on S was fabricated, which could act as a convenient and efficient Fe3+ test kit. The recognition mechanism of the sensor toward Fe3+ was evaluated by MS, IR and XRD. The detection limit of the sensor S towards Fe3+ is 4.8 × 10−6 M. And other cations, including Hg2+,Ag+, Ca2+, Cu2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, Zn2+, Cr3+, and Mg2+ had no influence on the probing behavior.

Graphical abstractA novel colorimetric sensor S was designed and synthesized by a convenient method and exhibited single selectivity by naked-eyes through spectrofluorimeter on recognition for Fe3+ in DMSO solution.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide