A new click-derived tripodal receptor for fluorescence recognition of Ni2+ in aqueous solution

•New tripodal triazole-based receptor was synthesized by click reaction.•This receptor show distinctive fluorescence sensing of Ni2+.•The detection limit for Ni2+ is low.

A new click-derived tripodal receptor, tris[(9-anthryl benzyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-yl)methyl]amine (1), was synthesized from tripropargylamine and anthracene azide by Cu(I)-catalyzed click chemistry. In acetonitrile/Tris-HCl (1:1, v/v, pH = 7.2) buffer solutions, 1 showed exclusive fluorescence turn-off response to Ni2+ over other metal ions. The detection limit for Ni2+ is 7.1 × 10−7 M.

Graphical abstractA new tripodal triazole-based receptor for fluorescence sensing of Ni2+ in aqueous solution is reported.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide