A new Schiff base system bearing two naphthalene groups as fluorescent chemodosimeter for Zn2+ ion and its logic gate behavior

1-((E)-(2-((2-nitrobenzyl)(2-((E)-(2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methyleneamino)ethyl)amino)ethylimino)methyl)naphthalen-2-ol (H2L), The new compound featuring two naphthalene units was synthesized and characterized. We find that H2L has high selectivity and sensitivity to detect Zn2+ ion over other metal ions such as Na+, Ag+, Cd2+, Co2+, Cr3+, Cu2+, Hg2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, Fe3+, and the sensitivity is about 10−7 M. The fluorescent changes of H2L upon the addition of cations Zn2+ and triethylamine is utilized as an AND logic gate at the molecular level, using Zn2+ and triethylamine as chemical inputs and the fluorescence intensity signal as output.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► The chemodosimeter exhibited single recognition for Zn2+ with a dramatic color change. ► The compound could be used as an on–off switch chemodosimeter. ► The compound is capable to mimic AND logic gate with Zn2+ ions and triethylamine as inputs.