Colorimetric detection of Fe3+ and Fe2+ and sequential fluorescent detection of Al3+ and pyrophosphate by an imidazole-based chemosensor in a near-perfect aqueous solution
New sensor 1 was developed for colorimetric detection of Fe2+ and Fe3+ and fluorescent detection of Al3+ and PPi. Sensor 1 could selectively sense Fe2+/3+ by color change from yellow to orange. Sensor 1 could be used to quantify Fe3+ in real water samples. 1 showed the sequential fluorescent imaging toward Al3+ and PPi in living cells.