Schiff base ligand: A colorimetric approach for tungsten and carbonate detection with insights into BSA binding studies

A Schiff base ligand, 2,2 '-((1E,1 ' E)-(naphthalene-1,5-diylbis(azanylylidene))- bis(methanylylidene))bis(4bromophenol) named DB-1, was synthesized using 1,5-diaminonaphthalene and 5-bromo-salicylaldehyde. Several analytical techniques were utilized to confirm the synthesized ligand's structural and chemical purity, e.g., FTIR, NMR, SCXRD, PXRD, TGA, HRMS, and elemental analysis. Subsequently, DB-1 was employed as a susceptible and specific colourimetric sensor to recognize W6+ and CO32- ions. The sensitivity of DB-1 was estimated with limit of detection (LOD) values, i.e. 0.11 mu M and 0.08 mu M for W6+ and CO32- ions, respectively. Furthermore, the luminescence studies and molecular docking simulations confirmed strong interactions of DB-1 with Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA). Molecular docking studies were implemented to gain insight into the molecular-level interactions that underscore the binding of DB-1 with BSA. This facet of the present research suggests that DB-1 holds promise not only as a susceptible colourimetric sensor for W6+ and CO32- ions but also for its potential applications in BSA-related studies.