A dual target chemosensor for the fluorometric detection of In³⁺ and colorimetric detection of Fe³⁺

A new dual target chemosensor 1, 1,1′‑((1E,1′E)‑((thiobis(ethane‑2,1‑diyl))bis(azanylylidene))bis(methanylylidene))bis(naphthalen‑2‑ol), was prepared by the reaction of a hydroxy-naphthaldehyde and a thiobis(ethylamine). Sensor 1 detected In³⁺ with turn-on fluorescence and Fe³⁺ via the change of color from colorless to pale violet. The sensing behaviors of 1 toward In³⁺ and Fe³⁺ were studied through photophysical experiments, ESI-mass, NMR titration, and theoretical calculations. In particular, 1 can discriminate In³⁺ from Al³⁺ and Fe³⁺ from Fe²⁺. Limits of detection for the analysis of In³⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions turned out to be 5.89 μM and 0.30 μM, respectively. In addition, sensor 1 functioned practically as a naked-eye test strip for Fe³⁺ and could be recycled by using EDTA for In³⁺ and DFO for Fe³⁺.