Synthetic Modulation of a Chemosensor Affords Target Metal Ion Switch from Zn 2+ to Al 3+

The paper describes how synthetic modulation of a chemosensor can be utilized to obtain altered selectivity of analytes. A series of chemosensors were designed by changing the alcohol arm length, from ethanol amine ( H 2 SalEt ) to propanol amine ( H 2 SalPr ) to a combined one i. e. 3‐amino 1, 2 propanediol ( H 3 SalPd ) / ring system, benzene to napthyl ring analogues ( H 2 NapEt , H 2 NapPr and H 3 NapPd ) and screened for selectivity towards specific analytes. H 2 SalEt was already reported to sense Zn 2+ selectively. The generated H 2 SalPr and H 3 SalPd were unable to differentiate Zn 2+ and Al 3+ . However H 2 NapEt , H 2 NapPr and H 3 NapPd are excellent chemosensors for selective detection of Al 3+ alone. The feasibility and practicability of H 3 NapPd to sense Al 3+ was further explored on HepG2 cells.