[Ru(bpy)2(pipdpa)]2+ as a highly sensitive and selective luminescent chemosensor for Cu2+ in aqueous solution

A novel ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complex [Ru(bpy)2(pipdpa)]2+ (1) with DPA (dipicolylamine) moiety as receptor (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, pipdpa=2-(4′-N,N-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)aniline)imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline) was developed as a luminescent chemosensor with high selectivity and antidisturbance toward Cu2+ over other tested metal ions (Ca2+, Cd2+, Co2+, Hg2+, K+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Na+, Ni2+, Pb2+, Zn2+, Fe2+, Fe3+). Remarkably, complex 1 could be applied to detect Cu2+ with a wide pH range 3–10 in aqueous solution.