Spectroscopic Rationalization of Selective Colorimetric Chemosensing of Fe(lll) in Aqueous Medium by a New Mono-Substituted Dibenzodiaza-Crown Ether Macrocyclic Ligand Appended with Mono 2-Benzimidazole N-Pendant Side Arm.

Abstract

Optical chemosensor L comprising of a new mono-N-substituted derivative of dibenzodiaza-crown ether macrocyclic ligand bearing a 2-benzimidazole (2Bim) side arm was synthesized, and characterized by FT-IR, elemental microanalyses, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR, UV-visible, fluorescence (FL) spectroscopy. The colorimetric chemosensing behavior of L toward the library metal ions was examined, wherein L represented a prompt and selective yellow-to-purple color change for Fe(III) cation in a 25µM solution with LOD as 0.23 µM in ethanol:water (9:1, v/v), even in the presence of the other library metal ions (LMI). Based on the ¹H NMR, UV-visible, and FL observations the coordination sphere of Fe(III) was shared with two 2-benzoimidazole (2Bim) side arms which were also confirmed by the elemental microanalyses (in the solid state) and the Job plot method (in the solution) of the complex. Moreover, the above-mentioned color change was attributed to the presence of a strong charge transfer (LMCT) band for the Fe(III)/L interaction in the solution. Furthermore, the viscosity measurement in the presence of Fe(III) uncovered an increase at 0.5-1.0 ratios for Fe(III)/L, attributable to the formation of a self-assembly in the solution. A TLC paper strip was impregnated by L for selective detection of Fe(III), demonstrating a live color change for Fe(III) at 0-5 mM in the presence of LMI.