Selective recognition of acetate ion based on fluorescence enhancement chemosensor

Fluorescence study of the complexation between uranyl salophen (L) and some common anions in acetonitrile–water (90:10, v/v) solution showed a tendency of L toward acetate ion (AcO − ). The fluorescence enhancement of L is attributed to a 1:1 complex formation between L and acetate ion which was utilized as the basis for the selective detection of AcO − . The association constant of the 1:1 complex formation of L–AcO − was calculated as 6.60 × 10 6 . The linear response range of the fluorescent chemosensor covers a AcO − concentration range of 1.6 × 10 −7 to 2.5 × 10 −5  mol/L, with a detection limit of 2.5 × 10 −8  mol/L. L showed a selective and sensitive fluorescence enhancement response toward acetate ion over I 3 − , NO 3 − , CN − , CO 3 2− , Br − , Cl − , F − , H 2 PO4 − and SO 4 2− , which was attributed to the higher stability of inorganic complex between acetate and L. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.