AEE active Schiff base-bearing pyrene unit and further Cu2+–induced self-assembly process

A novel pyrene-based Schiff base derivative, 1, was synthesized by one-pot reaction. This compound was then used for aggregation emission enhancement and as fluorescence turn-on sensor toward Cu2+ in semi-aqueous solution based on metal-induced self-assembly. Detection limit of Cu2+ ion was 35 nM. The fluorescent sensor was further applied in monitoring intracellular Cu2+ in HeLa cells.