Coordination Chemistry and Sensing Properties Towards Anions and Metal Ions of a Simple Fluorescent Urea

The coordination and sensing properties towards anions transition metal ions of the simple novel fluorescent urea 1-(2-aminophenyl)-3-(naphthalen-1)-yl)urea (L) were investigated in solution, solid state. An electron donating amine group molecular skeleton L decreased acidity NHs that are usually deprotonated by basic allowed for a good degree affinity fluoride DMSO-d6-0.5 %H2O. Moreover, moiety acted as further binding ions. Indeed, was able to bind Zn2+ both solution state, respond presence this ion MeCN with an enhancement fluorescence emission. Although studies evidenced formation 1 : complex Zn2+, complexes 2 ligand-to-metal stoichiometry isolated DFT calculations helped clarify stability reasons behind these results.