Novel quinoline-fused quinolone derivatives: synthesis, photophysical studies, solvatochromism and chemosensing applications toward Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, and Hg²⁺ ions

Key Points

• This research aims to develop novel fluorescent probes for detecting specific metal ions.
• Synthesis of quinoline-fused quinolone derivatives using Zn-catalysed aerobic oxidative annulation reactions.
• Utilization of o-vinylaniline and isatin derivatives as starting materials.
• Characterization of the probes through photophysical studies and solvatochromism.
• The synthesized probes exhibit effective fluorescence signaling in the presence of Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, and Hg²⁺ ions.
• Solvatochromism is observed, indicating sensitivity to the environment around the probes.
• Fluorescence intensity increases significantly in the presence of targeted metal ions.