Selective detection of mercury ions using benzothiazole based colorimetric chemosensor

Abstract

Three new receptors L1, L2 and L3 were designed and synthesized in a single pot synthesis. The synthesized receptors were characterized by 1H NMR, FT-IR and Mass spectrometry. The cation binding affinity was studied using colorimetric and UV Vis spectral methods for the three receptors. Receptor L1 showed high selectivity with a significant color change from yellow to colorless (turn-off response) in the presence of Hg2 + ions over the other cations such as, Ni2 +, Cr3 +, Pb2 +, Cu2 +, Cd2 +, Co2 +, Zn2 + and Fe2 + and the receptor L2, L3 did not show any color change or change in the absorption in UV Vis spectral studies with Hg2 + ions and other tested metal ions, this may be due to lack of OH group in receptor L2 and L3. The B-H Plot shown 1:1 complex between L1and Hg2 + ions. 2016 Elsevier B.V.