A fluorescent probe for water content in ethanol based on a complex of ruthenium(ii)

Abstract

A new fluorescent dye, a complex of ruthenium(II), Ru(NH₂-phen)₃Cl₂, using 5-amino-1,10-phenanthrolin (NH₂-phen) as a ligand reagent was synthesized by simple steps and its application for water content determination in ethanol was described. The fluorescence intensity of the probe decreased obviously with increasing water content in ethanol when it was excited at 322 nm. The probe showed a linear response toward water content in the concentration range ca. 0.50–7.00%. Additionally, the prepared sensing system was insensitive to oxygen and ionic strength and presented satisfactory sensitivity. The detection limit could be as low as 0.035%.