Visual and near IR (NIR) fluorescence detection of Cr3+ in aqueous media via spirobenzopyran ring opening with application in logic gate and bio-imaging.

A new spirobenzopyran derivative (SPNH) was designed and synthesized which was applied in simultaneous colorimetric and NIR fluorescence detections for Cr(3+). This spirobenzopyran receptor is normally colorless in aqueous organic media but the formation of merocyanine occurs by Cr(3+) showing a yellow color. Here the formation of yellow color in UV-vis spectra and strong NIR fluorescence emission at 675 nm makes SPNH a good sensor for Cr(3+) ion. It is also found to be useful in cell imaging and in construction of logic gate. It shows INHIBIT gate in fluorescence and OR gate in absorption. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of NIR fluorescence emission of a spirobenzopyran derivative by Cr(3+) and its application to cell-biology and also in the logic gate.