Fluorescent sensors for detecting copper(II) ions and glyphosate

The research group of Professor Dr. Paitoon Rashatasakhon reports the synthesis and application of dipicolylamine-functionalized fluorene (DPFR) and fluorenone (DPFN) derivatives as fluorescent sensors for detecting copper(II) ions and glyphosate. The compounds were prepared via Sonogashira coupling reactions and characterized for their photophysical properties. Both DPFR and DPFN exhibited selective fluorescence quenching in the presence of Cu(II), with detection limits of 0.99 μM and 1.11 μM, respectively. Notably, the Cu(II)-DPFR complex showed fluorescence turn-on behavior upon glyphosate binding, enabling glyphosate detection with a limit of 0.93 μM. The sensors were successfully applied to real water samples, demonstrating high recovery rates and potential for environmental monitoring of metal ions and herbicide contaminants.