Tetrasubstituted cyclopentenone-based fluorescent chemosensors for the selective detection of Fe3+ and Cu2+ ions.

Fluorescent chemosensors based on 4-hydroxy cyclopentenones were synthesized by the base catalyzed reaction of 1,5-diphenyl-pentane-1,3,5-trione with benzil and thenil. The molecule obtained by the benzil reaction was found to be useful for the selective detection of Fe3+ by fluorescence turn-off, while the molecule synthesized by the thenil reaction was useful for selective detection of Cu2+ by fluorescent turn-on. Details of the synthesis, complexation mode, nature of binding, reversibility, and pH studies of the two sensors are discussed. The studies revealed that the sensors were suitable for determining Fe3+ and Cu2+ content in real water samples.