A novel retro-reaction strategy toward designing a selective fluorescence Cu(II) chemodosimeter

A novel C9 acridane-adduct, featuring ketobenzimidazole chelate, functions as a highly selective fluorescent chemodosimeter for Cu2+, while other metal ions pose little interferences, if any. The signaling strategy operates via the Cu2+-mediated retro-reaction, generating a strongly fluorescent acridinium ion at the expense of the weakly emitting probe.