An effective fluorescent chemosensor for the detection of copper(II).

The fluorescent compound N-substituted 2,6-bis(benzimidazol-2-yl)pyidine (1) has been synthesized. The fluorescent characteristics of the compound 1 and 2,6-bis(benzimidazol-2-yl)pyidine (2) and the complexes formed between the two compounds and different metal ions have also been investigated. The results show that the compound 1 possesses a specific ability to form complex with Cu(2+) ion, but the compound 2 have not such a property. It is proposed that the specific recognition ability of compound 1 to Cu(2+) may be attributed to the cyclic configuration of this compound in polar solvent.