Phenanthroline-Porphyrin Hybrid as a Fluorescence Sensor for Magnesium(II)

Significance

The selective detection of magnesium ions in the presence of sodium, potassium and calcium is particularly important in elucidating biological processes. Porphyrins and their derivatives possess both a far-red fluorophore and a binding domain for sensing. Unfortunately, porphyrins almost exclusively sense anions. The authors demonstrate that the novel 1,10-phenanthroline-phenyldipyrromethane hybrid macrocycle can effectively bind magnesium cations. Upon binding, the macrocycle undergoes a red shift as well as a 16-fold enhancement in emission intensity. The binding studies were also performed in an aqueous medium to demonstrate applicability for biological systems.