A Sensitive Ratiometric Fluorescent Sensor for Zinc(II) with High Selectivity

A new fluorescent Zn(2+) chemosensor (P1) based on a functionalized porphyrin was synthesized and characterized. P1 displayed dramatic ratiometric variations in absorption and fluorescent emission spectra upon exposure to Zn(2+) due to the formation of a 1:1 Zn(2+)/P1 complex. The sensor also exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity toward Zn(2+) over other common metal ions in the physiological pH range with a detection limit of 1.8 μM. The sensor showed fast response times and excellent reproducibility, thus confirming its potential applicability as a fluorescent sensor for Zn(2+) sensing.