Colorimetric and fluorescent pH and Cu²⁺ probes induced by photoisomerization of a maleonitrile-based Salen ligand

Chem. Commun., 2013, 49, 11791-11793.

Jinghui Cheng, Yuhui Zhang, Xiaofeng Ma, Xiangge Zhou, and Haifeng Xiang*

Both photo-induced cis-trans-isomerizations of a maleonitrile-based Salen ligand can be used as pH probes covering a broad pH range through three different mechanisms but they undergoing the formation of stable complex and Cu²⁺-promoted hydrolysis, respectively, exhibit totally different responses and mechanisms for sensing Cu²⁺.