Design, synthesis, experimental investigations, theoretical corroborations, and distinct applications of a futuristic fluorescence chemosensor for the unveiling of Zn2+ ions

A salicylaldehyde scaffold-based chemoreceptor (Z)-2-(((5-bromopyridin-2-yl) imino) methyl)-5-(diethylamino)phenol (SAP) with multifarious applications has been designated in this work. SAP exhibited high sensitivity towards the biologically significant metal ion, Zn2+ under DMSO/H2O (3:2, v/v) medium. Eventually, SAP was structurally authenticated by 1H and 13C NMR, FT-IR, LC-MS and SCXRD. It can specifically detect zinc ions under UV light in the presence of other metal ions in nanomolar concentrations. The suppression of ESIPT and impulsion of CHEF pathways vindicated the proposed sensing mechanism. A virtuous authentication of experimental findings in solution state and computational studies further affirmed the detection mechanism. SAP is also capable of reversible reactivity with the hexadentate ligand, EDTA, and leads to a consistent system that mimics molecular logic gate circuit. The cytotoxicity assay of SAP on A549 cell lines explained its biocompatible behaviour. Furthermore, it can effectively sustain quick on-site detection of zinc ions using test strips, swabs, and real water analysis. SAP is thus a tool with unique properties for detecting zinc metal ions with enhanced selectivity and innovative as well as practical applications.