Rapid Detection of Cd Ions in the Aqueous Medium Using a Highly Sensitive and Selective Turn-On Fluorescent Chemosensor.

Herein, a novel optical chemosensor, ( = 2, 6-di((E)-benzylidene)-4-methylcyclohexan-1-one), was designed/synthesized and characterized by H-NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy. The experimental observations indicated that is an efficient and selective chemosensor towards Cd, even in the presence of other metal ions, such as Mn, Cu, Co Ce, K, Hg, and Zn in the aqueous medium. The newly synthesized chemosensor, , showed a significant change in the fluorescence emission spectrum upon coordination with Cd. The formation of the Cd complex with was confirmed from the fluorometric response. The 1:2 combination of Cd with was found optimum for the desired optical properties, which was confirmed through fluorescent titration, Job's plot, and DFT calculation. Moreover, showed high sensitivity towards Cd with a very low detection limit (19.25 nM). Additionally, the was recovered and recycled by the addition of EDTA solution that combines with Cd ion and, hence, frees up the chemosensor.