A useful scaffold based on acenaphthene exhibiting Cu2+ induced excimer fluorescence and sensing cyanide via Cu2+ displacement approach

A new simple organic scaffold based on acenaphthene 4 was designed and synthesized. The chromogenic and fluorogenic properties of 4 toward different metal ions and anions were investigated in H2O/MeCN (8:2, v/v) solution. The probe 4 in the presence of Cu2+ exhibited strong static excimer emission at 507 nm along with a decrease in monomer emission at ∼400 nm ratiometrically, attributed to a complexation through aldimine and amide groups of 4. Additionally, 4 upon interaction with different anions illustrated significant fluorescence enhancement with cyanide. However, interaction of complex, 4-Cu2+ with CN− revealed fluorescence quenching attributed to formation of stable [Cu(CN)x]1−x species in the medium. A naked-eye sensitive fluorescent green color of solution was changed to blue. The mechanism of interaction between 4 and Cu2+ and sensing of cyanide through Cu2+ displacement approach was confirmed by the change in optical behaviors and 1H NMR and ESI-MS spectral data analysis.