A new fluorescence turn-on sensor for the distinct detection of Zn²⁺ and Al³⁺: Experimental and density functional theory study

Fluorescent probe NA was synthesized to investigate its fluorescence properties toward metal ions. Probe NA exhibited an excellent selective fluorescence response for the distinct detection of Zn²⁺ and Al³⁺ in CH₃CN/H₂O (7:3, v/v). The detection limits of probe NA for Zn²⁺ and Al³⁺ were 14.4 and 74.0 µM, respectively. The density functional theory results indicated that the upper form was suitable for the formation of the probe NA–Zn²⁺ or probe NA–Al³⁺ complex.