Al³⁺-Morpholine-appended Anthracene Ensemble as a Dual Photonic Switch for H₂PO₄⁻ and CN⁻ Ions and its Biological Applications

A highly selective Al³⁺-morpholine anthracene (1•Al³⁺) chelate was designed as a novel fluorescent photonic switch for H₂PO₄⁻ and CN⁻ ions. The in situ-generated Al³⁺ chelate could be used to detect H₂PO₄⁻ ions only in the absence of CN⁻ ions. In contrast, CN⁻ ions effectively extruded Al³⁺ from the chelate, resulting in the regeneration of probe 1 with a concomitant revival of PET, resulting in a turn-off response. By exploiting the complexation- and decomplexation-aided off–on switching system through the sequential addition of Al³⁺ followed by H₂PO₄⁻ or CN⁻, combinational photonic logic circuits, as well as image-guided fluorogenic tracking, was demonstrated.