A highly selective multi-responsive fluorescence sensor for Zn(2+) based on a diarylethene with a 4,6-dimethylpyrimidine unit

A novel turn-on mode fluorescent diarylethene containing a 4,6-dimethylpyrimidine unit was developed to fluorescently sense Zn(2+). Its multiple-responsive properties induced by Zn(2+)/EDTA and ultraviolet/visible light have been systematically studied. The fluorescence sensor could efficiently detect Zn(2+) with a 10 times enhancement of emission intensity and fluorescence color change (dark-green). In addition, the sensor showed clear discrimination from Cd(2+). The limit of detection of the sensor was measured to be 8.48 × 10(−8) mol L(−1) for Zn(2+). Finally, a molecular logic circuit was fabricated with the emission at 528 nm as the output signal and light and chemical stimuli as input signals.