Development of an “on-off-on” fluoroprobe utilizing an anthrylimidazole-based fluorescent ionic liquid for sensitive Cr(VI) and ascorbic acid detection

Developing a rapid detection method of Cr(VI) and ascorbic acid (AA) is vital in the food and environmental fields. Herein, an anthrylimidazole-based fluorescent ionic liquid (AI-FIL) with the advantageous fluorescent properties was successfully prepared and used to construct a promising “on-off-on” fluoroprobe for rapid/sensitive Cr(VI) and AA detection. Cr(VI) could effectively quench the fluorescence of AI-FIL owing to the inner-filter effect and photoinduced electron-transfer process. However, the decreased fluorescence could be rapidly recovered by AA owing to the redox reaction between AA and Cr(VI). For Cr(VI) detection, a satisfactorily linear response (0.03–300 μM) was achieved with the corresponding detection limit of 9 nM. For AA detection, a good linearity from 1 to 1000 μM was obtained with the resultant detection limit of 0.3 μM. Moreover, the AI-FIL based fluoroprobe was successfully utilized for Cr(VI) and AA detection in food and water samples with satisfactory accuracy and precision.