A new indium-phenanthroline based complex as a fluorescence sensor: Synthesis, characterization and detection of multiple analytes

Chemical contaminants have posed a growing danger to environmental security and human health in recent years, causing considerable alarm. Herein, a new indium-based complex was synthesized by solvothermal method and using 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), namely, [(CH3)2NH2]+& sdot;[In(phen)Cl4]- (1). The crystal structure of the complex 1 was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD). Moreover, elemental analysis (EA), Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis and other structural characterization were carried out in detail. Thermal and solvent stabilities were investigated thoroughly. The liquid and solid fluorescence spectra had been also explored to discuss the influence of synthesis conditions on crystal configuration and the relationship between the complex and fluorescence properties. Moreover, complex 1 has good fluorescence properties and can be served as an outstanding candidate for the multi-response sensing of Fe3+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Co2+, Cr2O72- ions and nitrobenzene (NB). Furthermore, the limit of detection (LOD) and fluorescence quenching mechanism were studied in detail.