Novel Schiff base decorated cyclotriphosphazene chemosensors for Fe and Cu ions detection

In this study, new 2-aminobenzothiazole derivative Schiff base decorated cyclotriphosphazene compounds (SBCTP 1 and 2), which are likely to have chemical sensor properties, were designed and synthesized successfully. The compounds were structurally characterized by mass analysis and NMR (1H, 13C and 31P) spectroscopies. Photophysical and chemosensory properties of SBCTP 1 and 2 against some analytes were examined by UV–vis and Fluorescence spectrophotometry. While a significant increase was observed in the UV–vis absorption signals observed at 350 nm with the addition of Fe3+ and Fe2+ ions and a new absorption band was observed at 290 nm with the addition of Cu2+. In addition, according to Job's plot obtained from UV–vis absorption titrations, the complex stoichiometries of SBCTP 1 and 2 with selective analytes were determined as 1:1 (L/M) and 1:2 (L/M), respectively. The selective interaction of donor atoms on SBCTP 1 and 2 with Cu2+, Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions give these compounds chemosensory properties. This study showed that the synthesized Schiff base decorated cyclotriphosphazene compounds (SBCTP 1 and 2) could be new chemosensors with high selective and immediate sensitivity for the detection of iron and copper ions.