Dimethylcyclam based fluoroionophore having Hg2+- and Cd2+-selective signaling behaviors

Diametrically disubstituted bis(anthrylmethyl) derivative of 1,8-dimethylcyclam exhibited pronounced Hg2+- and Cd2+-selective fluorogenic behaviors in aqueous acetonitrile solution. A distinctive OFF–ON type signaling was observed for Hg2+ and Cd2+ ions in aqueous acetonitrile (CH3CN–H2O = 90:10, v/v) solution, while a selective ON–OFF type switching behavior toward Hg2+ ions was observed in solution having higher water content (CH3CN–H2O = 50:50, v/v). The detection limit for the analysis of Hg2+ ions in 50% aqueous acetonitrile was found to be 3.8 × 10−6 M. The selective OR logic gate behavior of the prepared compound toward two toxic heavy metal ions of Hg2+ and Cd2+ ions in CH3CN–H2O (90:10, v/v) suggests the possibility as a new chemosensing device for the two important target metal ions.