Optical sensors for detection of nano-molar Zn2+ in aqueous medium: Direct evidence of probe- Zn2+ binding by single crystal X-ray structures

Nano-molar level optical detection of Zn2+ is established by spectroscopic techniques and confirmed by single crystal X-ray structures of resulting Zn2+ complexes. Intra-celullar Zn2+ imaging in HeLa and MDA-MB-468 cells have been achieved. DFT studies unveil the energy parameters involved in probe- Zn2+ interaction.