Hemicyanines-potential heavy metal ion sensors

Abstract

Abstract The synthesis of four hemicyanine dyes are reported. Varying the donor-acceptor properties of hemicyanine dyes has a drastic influence on the aggregation properties and photophysical properties. 4-(N, N-dimethyl)amino benzaldehyde, 4-nitro benzaldehyde and 4-hydroxy benzaldehyde are used as donors. Quarternary salts of 2-methyl benzothiazole with bromoacetic acid and methyl iodide are used as acceptors. Synthesis and characterization of the dyes were carried out. Preliminary studies shows that these compounds possess pH sensing as well as heavy metal ion sensing properties.