A Highly Selective Fluorescent Probe for Zn2+ Based on a Rhodamine-6G dye Derivative Modified by a Furan Unit

A fluorescent probe for Zn2+ based on rhodamine-6G has been synthesised. It showed excellent fluorescent specific selectivity and high sensitivity for Zn2+ compared with other metal ions, such as Fe3+, Cr3+, Hg2+, Ag+, Ca2+, Cu2+, Pb2+, Cd2+, Ni2+, Co2+ and Mg2+, in CH3CN–phosphate buffer saline solution. The distinct colour change and the rapid emergence of fluorescence emission provided ‘naked-eye’ detection of Zn2+. The detection limit of the fluorescent probe towards Zn2+ was 1.78 μM. In addition, the fluorescence lifetime and fluorescence quantum yield were measured.