A novel donor-acceptor receptor for selective detection of Pb2+ and Fe3+ ions.

An efficient and highly selective colorimetric and fluorescent receptor DTPDA has been synthesized for sensitive detection of Pb(2+) and Fe(3+) cations. The sensor DTPDA produces a facile, cost-effective and naked eye sensing platform to determine trace amounts of Pb(2+) and Fe(3+) metal ions by complexation with pendent S-termini of thiophenes, which commonly coordinates to central N-termini of pyridine.