Highly sensitive AIEE active fluorescent probe for detection of deferasirox: extensive experimental and theoretical studies.

High concentrations of deferasirox (DFX) in living organisms cause hepatic, gastric and renal malfunctions. Therefore, it is significant to establish an accurate and efficient approach for the detection of deferasirox (DFX) to protect public health. Herein, we synthesized a thiourea-based diphenylacetamide probe MPT for the effective sensing of deferasirox through the fluorescence quenching phenomenon. The designed probe MPT shows a fluorescence quenching response toward deferasirox (DFX) through photo-induced electron transfer (PET). Furthermore, DFT studies were performed to support the experimental results. 1 H-NMR titration experiment was used to explore the interaction type between probe MPT and DFX. The existence of non-covalent interactions was verified with spectroscopic studies that were assisted by NCI studies, QTAIM and SAPT0 analysis. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to investigate the complexation of probe MPT with DFX. Moreover, the on-site solution phase and solid-state detection of DFX by probe MPT are executed. Additionally, the practical applications of probe MPT to sense DFX were also revealed in human plasma as well as in artificial urine samples.