Highly Specific Probe For Ferric Ions In Aqueous Solution Based On 5,6-Dicarboxy-3h-Benzoimidazol-1-Ium Nitrate

The organic compound, 5,6-dicarboxy-3H-benzoimidazol-1-ium nitrate (Hdcbii center dot NO3) (1), was synthesized by the reaction of 1H-benzoimidazole-5,6-dicarboxylate (Hbidc) with nitric acid under hydrothermal conditions. The crystal structure of the compound shows abundant hydrogen bonds and pi center dot center dot center dot pi stacking interactions revealed by X-ray single crystal diffraction and FT-IR spectroscopy. This compound has high selectivity for ferric (Fe3+) ions in aqueous solution and shows strong potential for application as a fluorescent probe for ferric ions.