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<p>We
report self assembling/aggregation properties of acyl-thiourea derivative,
N-((6-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)carbamothioyl)benzamide<a>(<b>NG1</b>) </a><a>[i1]</a> and
the disaggregation induced emission which leads to its application as
fluorescence and colorimetric probe for the sensitive detection of Cu<sup>2+</sup>.
The microscopy analysis of <b>NG1</b>via
SEM, and AFM reveal that it self-assembles to give fiber-like morphologies.Interestingly,<b>NG1</b> also assembles to fluorescent
fibers which show tunable emission properties. Addition of Cu<sup>2+</sup>to
these fibers causedisruption/disaggregation of fibers and a golden yellow
fluorescence is produced due to disaggregation induced emission enhancement (DIEE).
The application of <b>NG1</b> as selective
sensor for copper was further assessed by UV visible and fluorescence
spectroscopy. Limit of Detection(LOD) of Cu<sup>2+ </sup>with colorimetry was 2.5ppm
while LOD of Cu<sup>2+</sup> with fluorescence was as low as 0.1ppm. This
yellow fluorescence is quenched after the addition of lactic acid and hence <b>NG1</b> could potentially be used for the sequential
detection of both Cu and lactate.Further, structural modification of the probe <b>NG1</b> suggest crucial role of both
pyridine and acyl-thiourea moiety in the binding of Cu<sup>2+</sup>. The
experimental results of interaction of <b>NG1</b>
with Cu<sup>2+</sup> and lactate were also validated theoretically by quantum chemical calculations based on
density functional theory (DFT). Finally, we explore the ability of <b>NG1</b>for the sequential detection of Cu<sup>2+</sup>
and lactate in cells, which suggests<b>NG1</b>
can be used effectively for the cellular imaging applications and to selectively
sense Cu<sup>2+</sup>. To, the best of our knowledge,</p></div>
<p>this
is the first report wherein a dual sensor for Cu<sup>2+</sup>and lactate ion is
synthesized and it may in allpossibilities pave the way for the diagnosis of Cu<sup>2+</sup>associated
disorders like Wilson’s disease and in the detection of elevated lactate levels
which are associated with the wide range of pathologies likemitochondrial diseases, cerebral ischemia
and cancer.<b></b></p>
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