A Simple but Effective Ferrocene Derivative as a Redox, Colorimetric, and Fluorescent Receptor for Highly Selective Recognition of Zn²⁺ Ions

Abstract

A new probe, based on a 1,1'-disubstituted ferrocene, senses Zn2+ selectively among heavy and transition-metal (HTM) ions through three different channels: anodic redox shift of the Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox couple, the orange to deep purple color change that is visible to the naked-eye, and a remarkable enhancement of the fluorescence.