LAUSR

Abstract A novel multi-functional chemosensor based on a photochromic diarylethene with an acridone unit was synthesized and characterized with 1H NMR, 13C NMR, Element analysis, and MS. It not only displayed superior selectivity towards arginine (Arg) by dual channel, but also exhibited high selectivity for Cu2+ by colorimetric method. Upon addition of Arg, the color of the solution was changed from yellow to orange, the fluorescence color changed from black to green under 365 nm light, and the emission intensity enhanced 101-fold. When the Cu2+ was added, the color of the solution changed from yellow to orange immediately, and a wide band of absorption from 490 nm to 520 nm emerged. The sensor has high sensitivity to Arg and Cu2+ with the LOD of 9.65 × 10−8 mol L−1 and 3.95 × 10−7 mol L−1, respectively. Furthermore, it could be made into test paper strips for the recognition of Cu2+, and has high precision in the detection of Cu2+ in practical samples.