A novel purine derivative‐based colorimetric chemosensor for sequential detection of copper ion and sulfide anion

Abstract

A purine derivative‐based colorimetric chemosensor (PHP) for the detection of Cu 2+ and S 2− is reported. PHP demonstrated a high selectivity and sensitivity for Cu 2+ through color change from colorless to yellow with a detection limit of 74.9 nM. The sensing mechanism of the PHP–Cu complex was confirmed using X‐ray crystal structure analysis and density functional theory calculation. Furthermore, the PHP–Cu complex can be used for selective detection of S 2− via competitive complexation of S 2− to Cu 2+ . Finally, PHP was successfully applied as a visible test strip for the detection of cupric ions in water.