Novel ratio fluorescence probes for selectively detecting zinc ion based on Y-type quinoxaline framework

Several simple Y-type 2, 3-di(2′-pyridyl or quinoyl)quinoxaline derivatives had been synthesized, which is firstly utilized for detecting zinc ion as the receptor and fluorophore. They showed significant fluorescent turn-on and ratiometric detection of Zn²⁺ with red shift and remarkable fluorescence ratio enhancement. In addition, these probes displayed high selectivity for zinc ion over other relevant ions. Theoretical calculations were carried out to investigate the recognition mechanism of the intramolecular charge transfer. - Graphical abstract: Several simple Y-type 2, 3-di(2′-pyridyl or quinoyl)quinoxaline derivatives had been synthesized, which is firstly utilized for detecting zinc ion as the receptor and fluorophore. They showed significant fluorescent turn-on and ratiometric detection of Zn²⁺ with red shift and remarkable fluorescence ratio enhancement. In addition, these probes displayed high selectivity for zinc ion over other relevant ions. Theoretical calculations were carried out to investigate the recognition mechanism of the intramolecular charge transfer. - Highlights: • Several novel Y-type quinoxaline probes were developed for zinc ion detecting. • They showed significant fluorescent turn-on and ratiometric detection of Zn²⁺. • These probes displayed high selectivity for zinc ion. • A new receptor for Zn²⁺ based on 2,3-dipyridylquinoxaline segment was exploited.