An anthracene-based Cd2+ fluorescent chemosensor with a 4,7-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-9-hydroxy-1,4,7-triazanonyl group as a highly selective chelator to Cd2+ over Zn2+

We have developed a Cd2+ fluorescent chemosensor with high selectivity as well as sensitivity by tethering a 4,7-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-9-hydroxy-1,4,7-triazanonyl chelator to anthracene. This sensor features the ability to discriminate Cd2+ from Zn2+ to a high degree (KdZn/KdCd = 560) in a pH 7.2 buffer.