biostudies-literatureUnknown8(61)Liu XA new squaraine based chemosensor TSQ was developed for colorimetric detection of Fe³⁺ ions. A thymine moiety in TSQ was constructed to act as an ion acceptor. The sensor displayed an instant colorimetric response specific to Fe³⁺ over the other metal ions in 20% AcOH-H₂O solution. The limit of detection was much lower than that of the environmental protection agency guideline (5.37 μM) in drinking water. A 1 : 1 binding between TSQ and Fe³⁺ ion was evidenced by Job's plot measurement, ESI-MS and Fourier transform infrared (IR) measurements. Moreover, the proposed sensing mechanism of the receptor towards Fe³⁺ was strongly supported by DFT calculation. Finally, the sensor has proven to be suitable in real sample applications.RSC advances34860-34866https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9087219biostudies-literatureSpecific colorimetric detection of Fe³⁺ ions in aqueous solution by squaraine-based chemosensor.PMC9087219Liu XJiang CWang YWang JSong GXu MMLi NfalseSpecific colorimetric detection of Fe³⁺ ions in aqueous solution by squaraine-based chemosensor.A new squaraine based chemosensor TSQ was developed for colorimetric detection of Fe³⁺ ions. A thymine moiety in TSQ was constructed to act as an ion acceptor. The sensor displayed an instant colorimetric response specific to Fe³⁺ over the other metal ions in 20% AcOH-H₂O solution. The limit of detection was much lower than that of the environmental protection agency guideline (5.37 μM) in drinking water. A 1 : 1 binding between TSQ and Fe³⁺ ion was evidenced by Job's plot measurement, ESI-MS and Fourier transform infrared (IR) measurements. Moreover, the proposed sensing mechanism of the receptor towards Fe³⁺ was strongly supported by DFT calculation. Finally, the sensor has proven to be suitable in real sample applications.2018-01-01T00:00:00Z2018 Oct2024-11-20T23:15:45.17Z2024-11-20T23:15:45.17ZS-EPMC90872193554704210.1039/c8ra07345g