A novel fluorescent Probe 1, based on phenanthro-imidazole has been developed as an efficient chemosensor for the trace detection of copper ions (Cu2+). Probe 1 demonstrated sensitive fluorescence quenching upon binding with Cu2+ through 1:1 stoichiometric chelation. The detection limit for Cu2+ ions was projected through linear quenching fitting to be as low as 2.77 × 10−8 M (or 1.77 ppb). The sensing response was highly selective towards Cu2+ with minimal influence from other common metal ions, facilitating the practical application of Probe 1 in trace detection.
