Colorimetric detection of fluoride and mercury (II) ions using isatin Schiff base skeleton bearing pyridine-2-carboxamidine moiety: Experimental and theoretical studies

An isatin-Schiff base ligand (ISS) bearing a pyridine-2-carboxamidine moiety was synthesized through a facile and convenient method for the highly selective colorimetric detection of Hg+2 and F- ions. The sensing ability of the synthesized ISS sensor toward Hg+2 and F- was established using colorimetric and UV-visible techniques. The developed sensor showed excellent selectivity in the presence of other competing ions for Hg+2 and F-, with a color change from yellow to red. The limits of the detection for sensing Hg+2 and F- were calculated to be 2.9 ×10-6 M and 1.4 ×10-5 M, respectively. Job's plot based on spectroscopic data revealed a 1:1 binding stoichiometry between ISS and Hg+2 or F- ion. Furthermore, the binding mechanism, optimized structures and electronic properties of ISS, ISS-F- adduct and ISS-Hg+2 complex were investigated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. DFT results indicated a decrease of the HOMO-LUMO energy gap for ISS upon interaction with the F- and Hg+2 species which were in good agreement with the experimental outcomes.