Abstract
In this current study, the novel bis[4,5-(pyrene-2-yl)-3,6-(hexyloxy)] phthalonitrile (SPN) fluorophore has been successfully synthesized. Structural characterization of this novel compound was performed by different spectroscopic methods such as FT-IR, MALDI-TOF,
1
H-NMR,
13
C-NMR and elemental analyses as well. In addition, the photophysical properties were determined using UV–vis absorption, steady-state fluorescence, time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopic methods and quantum chemical calculations. The metal sensing behavior of the SPN was determined in the presence of various metals (Li
+
, Na
+
, K
+
, Mg
2+
, Ca
2+
, Ba
2+
, Mn
2+
, Fe
3+
, Cr
3+
, Co
2+
, Ni
2+
, Ag
+
, Cd
2+
, Al
3+
, Hg
+
and Zn
2+
) using fluorescence spectroscopy. The novel pyrene based phthalonitrile (SPN) showed high sensitivity and selectivity towards Fe
3+
ion over other examined metal ions. In order to perform the determination of Fe
3+
ion in environmental samples, experimental conditions such as selectivity, stability, precision, sensitivity, accuracy and recovery were optimized. Also, the complex stoichiometry of the novel pyrene based phthalonitrile (SPN) and Fe
3+
ions was determined by a Job’s plot. The compound was also studied via density functional theory calculations revealing the interaction mechanism of the molecule with Fe
3+
ions.