A pentacenequinone derivative with aggregation-induced emission enhancement characteristics for the picogram detection of Fe(3+) ions in mixed aqueous media.

The binding behavior of nanoaggregates of pentacenequinone derivative 1 having thiophene groups has been investigated toward various cations (Fe(3+), Fe(2+), Pd(2+), Mg(2+), Cd(2+), Hg(2+), Ni(2+), Zn(2+), Cu(2+), Pb(2+), Co(2+), K(+), Na(+) and Li(+)) using UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Among the various cations tested, nanoaggregates of compound 1 show a selective and sensitive response towards ferric ions. Further, the paper strips coated with a solution of nanoaggregates of 1 can detect ferric ions at the picogram level, thus providing a simple, portable and low cost method for the detection of ferric ions at the picogram level in aqueous solution.