A New Rhodamine B Derivative As a Colorimetric Chemosensor for Recognition of Copper(II) Ion

A new rhodamine-based sensor 1 was designed and synthesized by incorporating rhodamine B and benzimidazole moieties. Sensor 1 exhibits high selectivity and sensitivity to $Cu^{2+}$ in $CH_3CN$-water solution (HEPES buffer, pH = 7.0) with an obvious color change from colorless to pink. Other metal ions such as $Hg^{2+}$, $Ag^+$, $Pb^{2+}$, $Sr^{2+}$, $Ba^{2+}$, $Cd^{2+}$, $Ni^{2+}$, $Co^{2+}$, $Fe^{2+}$, $Mn^{2+}$, $Cu^{2+}$, $Zn^{2+}$, $Ce^{3+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $K^+$ and $Na^+$ had no such color change and have no significant influence on $Cu^{2+}$ recognition process. The interaction of $Cu^{2+}$ and sensor 1 was proven to adopt a 1:1 binding stoichiometry and the recognition process is reversible.