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.