5,5′-Bis-vanillin derivatives as discriminating sensors for trivalent cations

[EN] Several bis-vanillin derivatives containing semicarbazone moieties have been prepared and used in discriminating trivalent cations. The prepared probes are readily obtained and they are usually highly crystalline. Depending on the ligand and the studied cations, quenching, enhancement or no changes in the fluorescence spectrum were observed. Using a series of the prepared ligands allows distinguishing between Fe3+, Cr3+ and Al3+. Detection limits and selectivity in front of divalent cations have been evaluated. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.