Simple and sensitive colorimetric sensors for the selective detection of Cu(ii)

A simple, sensitive colorimetric probe for detecting Cu(ii) ions with fast response has been established with a detection limit of 2.82 μM. UV-Vis spectroscopy along with metal ion response, selectivity, stoichiometry, competition was investigated. In the presence of copper(ii), the UV-Vis spectrum data showed significant changes and the colorimetric detection showed a color change from colorless to yellow. After the selective binding of receptor L with Cu(ii), the UV-visible absorption at 355 nm decreased dramatically, a new absorbance band appeared at 398 nm and its intensity enhanced with the increase in the amount of Cu(ii). Moreover, it exhibited highly selective and sensitive recognition towards Cu(ii) ions in the presence of other cations over the pH range of 7–11. The complex structure was verified by FT-IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and quantum mechanical calculations using B3LYP/6-31G(d) to illustrate the complex formation between L and Cu(ii). According to the Job plot and the quantum mechanical calculations, the stoichiometric ratio for the complex formation was proposed to be 1 : 1.