Arene-based fluorescent probes for the selective detection of iron

Abstract

Amide based probes containing phenyl (<bold>L1</bold>), naphthyl (<bold>L2</bold>) and anthracenyl (<bold>L3</bold>) groups were screened towards metal ions. Probes <bold>L2</bold> and <bold>L3</bold> display sensing for Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions. The <bold>L3</bold>–Fe³⁺ system is shown to have potential applications in logic gates and cell imaging.