Partial cation substitution of tunable blue-cyan-emitting Ba2B2O5:Ce3+ for near-UV white LEDs

In this study, Sr²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Mg²⁺ ions act to tune the emission band to the blue-cyan region in Ba_xSr_yB₂O₅:Ce³⁺ (BSBO), Ba_xCa_zB₂O₅:Ce³⁺ (BCBO), Ba_xZn_uB₂O₅:Ce³⁺ (BZBO), and Ba_xMg_vB₂O₅:Ce³⁺ (BMBO) phosphors. A red shift occurs with the increase of Sr²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Mg²⁺ concentration, and a blue shift occurs when the concentrations of Sr²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Mg²⁺ exceed the critical value. The emission color can be tuned from deep blue (0.15, 0.12) to cyan (0.16, 0.27) upon 365 nm UV lamp excitation due to the crystal field splitting and centroid shifts. The excitation band shift to long wavelength by introducing ions, so that the synthesized phosphor can be better matched with the n-UV chip. The emission intensity slowly decreases with the temperature increasing. Therefore, the BMBO:Ce³⁺, BZBO:Ce³⁺, BCBO:Ce³⁺, and BSBO:Ce³⁺ phosphors with relatively good thermal stability were synthesized, which could have potential applications in the n-UV white LEDs.     

Solid‐phase extraction of phenolic compounds with poly[metalloprotoporphyrin IX]

A highly insoluble metalloporphyrin polymeric material was used as sorbent for the solid‐phase extraction of phenolic compounds. Substantial quantities of phenols (40 to 60 mg/g polymer) were absorbed from aqueous solution comparing satisfactorily with other extraction methods. The polymeric phase presented similar K_SPE values for the hydrophobic compounds tested such as p‐chlorophenol, BPA, p‐nitrophenol, and a significant lower value for the more hydrophilic p‐aminophenol and cresol. Several metallic complexes of protoporphyrin IX (Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Fe³⁺) have been tested. The analytes were extracted with high recoveries at acid and neutral pH values, whereas at pH 10 low recoveries were obtained. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 3038–3043, 2001     

Chitosan N-benzyl sulfonate derivatives as sorbents for removal of metal ions in an acidic medium

We synthesized chitosan-based sorbents for the uptake of metal cations in acidic solutions. Chitosan was reacted with 2-formylbenzene sodium sulfonate and 4-formyl-1,3-benzene sodium disulfonate in the presence of NaCNBH₃ to yield N-benzyl mono- and disulfonate derivatives of chitosan. IR and NMR spectra confirmed the presence of benzyl sulfonate groups. The degrees of substitution of the monosulfonate chitosan derivatives were in the range of 80%, while those of disulfonate derivatives were about 50%. These sulfonate derivatives of chitosan were tested on the sorption of heavy metals Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, and Cr³⁺. The sorption capacities for disulfonate compounds were better than for monosulfonate compounds. This phenomenon was attributed to the amphoteric character of the monosulfonate derivatives. To improve the capacity of adsorption of monosulfonate compounds, the amino groups of these compounds were protected by the benzyloxycarbonyl groups. The protection of amino groups of disulfonate derivatives by benzyloxycarbonyl also improved their sorption capacity. The resulting protected polymers were tested for sorption of heavy metals. Both protected polymers were more efficient than are the parent nonprotected polymers. The synthesized sulfonate derivatives of chitosan are especially adapted to the sorption of heavy metals from the acidic industrial effluents. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

C,N‐Pyridylpyrazole‐Based Ligands: Synthesis and Preliminary Use in Metal Ion Extraction

Abstract

The synthesis of new N‐donor pyridylpyrazole ligands with a functionalized arm is described. The complexation capabilities of these compounds towards bivalent metal ions (Hg²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺) and alkali metal ions (K⁺, Na⁺, and Li⁺) were investigated using the liquid‐liquid extraction process. The percentage limits of extraction were determined by atomic absorption measurements.     

Novel color tunable LaCaGaO4:Bi3+,Eu3+ phosphors for high color rendering warm white LEDs

A series of LaCaGaO₄:xBi³⁺,yEu³⁺ (x = 0.002–0.04, y = 0.02–0.45) phosphors with adjustable emission colors were synthesized by high-temperature solid-state reaction. The samples were identified as pure phases by X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement, and the crystal structures were analyzed in detail. The LaCaGaO₄:xBi³⁺ phosphor shows an intense blue emission under near-ultraviolet excitation, originating from the ³P₁ → ¹S₀ transition. The spectrum analysis reveals that the Bi³⁺ ions occupy two luminescence centers in the LaCaGaO₄ host and that energy transfer can occur. A model of the energy transfer between the Bi³⁺ and Eu³⁺ ions was also created and studied in detail. As the Eu³⁺-concentration increased, the emission color of the LaCaGaO₄:0.005Bi³⁺,yEu³⁺ phosphor changed from blue to pink to red. In addition, the fluorescence lifetime, quantum yield, thermal stability, and other properties of the phosphors were characterized and analyzed. Finally, two white light-emitting diode devices with R_a values of 96.6 and 95 and correlated color temperatures of 4578 and 3324 K were fabricated, indicating the potential of phosphors for warm white lighting applications.     

Cardenolides fromErysimum cheiranthoides: Feeding deterrents toPieris rapae larvae

Larvae of the cabbage butterfly,Pieris rapae, refuse to feed on the wild mustard,Erysimum cheiranthoides, due to the presence of alcoholextractable deterrents. The active components were extracted inton-BuOH, and this extract was separated into four fractions (I–IV) by reverse-phase HPLC. Fractions III and IV retained the feeding deterrent activity. The activity of fraction III was found to be due to the cardenolide diglycosides 1 and 2, which were previously reported as oviposition deterrents for gravidP. rapae butterflies. Three active compounds were isolated from fraction IV by column chromatography on silica gel followed by reverse-phase HPLC. These compounds were identified as a monoglycoside, digitoxigenin 3-O--D-glucoside (4), and two diglycosides, glucodigigulomethyloside (5) and glucodigifucoside (6). An additional cardenolide isolated from fraction II was identified as cheirotoxin (7). All compounds were identified by UV, NMR (¹H and¹³C), and mass spectrometry, as well as hydrolysis experiments. The feeding deterrent activity of these compounds was compared with that of related commercially available chemicals and other compounds isolated fromE. cheiranthoides.     

Microwave assisted novel synthetic route for polyfluorenes containing triphenylamine and solubilizing alkyl moiety for blue emitting diodes

A series of blue electroluminescent polyfluorenes (PFs) containing triphenylamine and various alkyl moieties were synthesized using an Ni(0) mediated C?C Yamamoto coupling reaction assisted by microwaves. The synthesized PFs were characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. Their absorption and photoluminescence properties were investigated in solvent and found to possess characteristic electronic absorption and emission spectra. These PFs were found to emit in the blue region (407?415 nm) with high quantum yield in the range 0.41?0.73. Cyclic voltammetry studies of the PFs revealed that the compounds were stable under redox conditions with highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital in the range 5.24–5.29 eV and 1.98?2.01 eV, respectively. The E_HOMO for the PFs was similar to the most widely used hole transporting materials N,N′‐Di(1‐naphthyl)‐N,N′‐diphenyl‐(1,1′‐biphenyl)‐4,4′‐diamine (NPD), N,N′‐Bis(3‐methylphenyl)‐N,N′‐diphenylbenzidine (TPD) and N²,N²,N²′,N²′,N⁷,N⁷,N⁷′,N⁷′‐octakis(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐9,9′‐spirobi[9H‐ fluorene]‐2,2′,7,7′‐tetramine, Spiro‐OMeTAD (spiro‐OMe‐TAD). The thermal stability observed for the PFs accounts for their use under ambient conditions. The electrochemical studies of the fabricated polymer light emitting diodes suggest that the PFs have potential to be used as hole transporting and blue electroluminescent materials for optoelectronic devices. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

New apatite-type phosphor Ca9La(PO4)5(SiO4)F2:Tb3+,Dy3+ with improved color rendering index

Ca₉La(PO₄)₅(SiO₄)F₂:Tb³⁺,Dy³⁺ (CLPSF:Tb³⁺,Dy³⁺) phosphors were successfully prepared using the traditional solid-state technique. The crystal structure was refined and the luminescence properties have been examined in detail. The band gap and electronic structure of Ca₉La(PO₄)₅(SiO₄)F₂ were performed by the periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculation. The spectral and fluorescence decay dynamics of CLPSF:Tb³⁺,Dy³⁺ show that the energy transfer behavior between Tb³⁺ and Dy³⁺ ions is observed. The CLPSF:Tb³⁺,Dy³⁺ phosphors can be efficiently excitable at the wavelengths range from 300 to 500 nm. The emission spectrum covers the whole visible part of the spectra with the sharp emission bands in red, green, and blue regions. The correlated color temperature (CCT) and color rendering index (CRI) of white light emission could be improved by the fine-tuning of the Tb³⁺ and Dy³⁺ ions ration in accordance with the energy transfer behavior. Thus, the CLPSF:Tb³⁺,Dy³⁺ phosphor could be used as a material for the near-ultraviolet (n-UV) and white light-emitting diodes (w-LEDs).     

Synthesis,photochemical characterization,and thermal stability of a series of substituted formamidines as ultraviolet light absorbers

The three‐step reactions of ethyl 4‐aminobenzoate, formic acid, and halohydrocarbons afforded 10 N‐substituted‐N,N′‐diaryl‐formamidine derivatives ( F1 – 10 ) as ultraviolet absorbers. These N‐substituted formamidines were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FT‐IR, and ESI‐MS spectroscopies. The UV–vis absorbance and fluorescence properties of the compounds F1 – 10 were investigated in different solvents and in the presences of different metal ions. The effects of the amount of Al³⁺, Pb²⁺, Zr⁴⁺ ions on the UV–vis absorbance and fluorescence properties of compound F1 were also investigated. Moreover, the thermal stability of the compounds F1 – 10 was evaluated as well as the intermediate N,N′‐bis(4‐ethoxycarbonylphenyl)‐formamidine. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 25:E108–E113, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Preparation and Luminescence Properties of Eu2+ and Mn2+ Coactivated Tricalcium Phosphate Phosphors

Eu²⁺ and Mn²⁺ coactivated β–Ca₃(PO₄)₂ (TCP) phosphors have been prepared by high‐temperature solid‐state reaction. The site occupation and photoluminescence properties of Eu²⁺ and Mn²⁺ have been identified and discussed in detail. The energy transfer from Eu²⁺ to Mn²⁺ in TCP: Eu²⁺, Mn²⁺ phosphors has been validated and demonstrated to be a resonant type via a dipole‐quadrupole mechanism, and the critical distance (R_C) calculated by concentration quenching method is 21.76 Å. A color‐tunable emission from violet‐blue to red in TCP: Eu²⁺, Mn²⁺ phosphors can be realized via the energy transfer from Eu²⁺ to Mn²⁺ ions.     

Color-tunable and white emission of Tm3+ doped transparent zinc silicate glass-ceramics embedding ZnO nanocrystals

Tm³⁺ doped zinc silicate glass-ceramics composed of SiO₂-Al₂O₃-ZnO-K₂O-Tm₂O₃ embedded with ZnO nanocrystals were successfully fabricated by melt-quenching method with subsequent heat treatment. Tm³⁺ ions and ZnO nanocrystals were introduced as blue and yellow luminescence centers, respectively. The effects of heat treatment, excitation wavelength and Tm³⁺ doping concentration on the photoluminescence behaviors of these glass-ceramics were studied. Short-time (5 minutes) heat treatment was considered as the optimal heat treatment time, which facilitates simultaneously emitting narrow blue peak located at 453 nm and a broad yellow band centered at 580 nm. Blue and yellow emissions could be attributed to the ¹D₂ → ³F₄ transition of Tm³⁺ and Zn_i/O_i-related defect emission of ZnO nanocrystals, respectively. The combination of these two emissions allows the realization of white light emitting in the glass-ceramic samples. Furthermore, tunable luminescent color and chromaticity coordinates, including yellow, white and blue, can be realized by varying the pumping wavelengths as well as the content of Tm³⁺ dopant in the glass matrix. Nearly perfect white light emission with Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage coordinate (x = 0.33, y = 0.32) was achieved for the 0.05 mol% Tm³⁺ doped glass-ceramic embedding ZnO nanocrystals by heat treatment at 750°C for 5 minutes under the excitation of 360 nm. These luminescent glass-ceramics doped with Tm³⁺ ion and ZnO nanocrystals could be a promising candidate for white light emitting devices under near-ultraviolet excitation.     

Apatite oxynitride phosphor (Mg,Y)5Si3(O,N)13:Ce3+,Mn2+: A single-phased host with solar-like and efficient emission

During pursuing high color rendering index for full-color-emitting phosphor, low quantum efficiency (QE) is usually accompanying. We intend to elevate the luminescence efficiency when realizing a solar-like spectra distribution, by constructing apatite structure oxynitride, inheriting high covalence and rigidity from oxynitride, and suitable multiple cation sites from oxyapatite compounds. Full-color-emitting apatite structure oxynitride phosphor (Mg,Y)₅Si₃(O,N)₁₃:Ce³⁺,Mn²⁺ has been prepared, and the crystal sites’ occupancies of activators in this host were favorable for white emission. (Mg,Y)₅Si₃(O,N)₁₃:Ce³⁺,Mn²⁺ phosphor shows whole visible light with emission wavelength ranging from 370 to 750 nm, matching the spectra of sunlight quite well. The fabricated white light-emitting diode lamp demonstrated the distinctive overall performance of QE and chromaticity properties (R_a and R₉). Furthermore, correlated color temperature is tunable from cool nature to warm white. The obtained lamp possesses the feature of less blue light hazard and high saturation of red degree, compared with the commercial YAG-based lamp.     

A Single‐Phase Phosphor NaLa9 (GeO4)6O2: Tm3+, Dy3+ for Near Ultraviolet‐White LED and Field‐Emission Display

Single‐phase white‐light‐emitting phosphors NaLa_9(1?x?y) (GeO₄)₆O₂: xTm³⁺, yDy³⁺ (NLGO: xTm³⁺, yDy³⁺) have been synthesized by a traditional solid‐state reaction method. The powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL), PL excitation (PLE) spectra, fluorescence decay curves, chromaticity coordinates, correlated color temperature (CCT), and the cathodoluminescence (CL) properties of the obtained phosphors are measured and discussed in detail. It is discovered that the series samples could be color‐tunable (from blue to yellow) by tuning the doping content of Dy³⁺ with a fixed Tm³⁺ content excited at 357 nm and white light (0.341, 0.324) could be obtained with the CCT of 5079 K. A NLGO: 0.01Tm³⁺, 0.02Dy³⁺ is studied carefully as representative. The main emissions of Tm³⁺ (453 nm, ¹D₂–³F₄) and Dy³⁺ (478 nm, ⁴F_9/2–⁶H_15/2; 572 nm, ⁴F_9/2–⁶H_13/2) make it emit white light with good thermal stability (67% of the initial till 523 K). The energy transfer from Tm³⁺ to Dy³⁺ is noticed and further research has been done to explain the enhancement of Dy³⁺ emission and the excellent thermal stability. It also keeps stable under continuous electron bombardment with high intensity. All of these indicate that it could be a suitable candidate for white‐emitting phosphor applied for near ultraviolet‐white light‐emitting diode (NUV‐WLED) and field‐emission display (FED).     

Effective synthesis of green nano-sized ceramic pigments by co-doping Zn2+, Cr3+ and Sm3+ into the cobalt-aluminate

A green nano-sized ceramic pigment Co_0.6Zn_0.4Al_0.8Cr_1.2-xSm_xO₄ has been successfully prepared by doping ions Zn²⁺, Cr³⁺, and Sm³⁺ into the crystalline CoAl₂O₄ spinel and using the complex-gel method along with agar as complexing and combustion agent. The Infrared Spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Thermo-gravimeter, High resolution transmission electron microscopy, Automatic color reader, and UV Vis diffuse reflectance were applied to characterize the pigment power and its gel precursor. The results reveal that the introduction of Zn²⁺, Cr³⁺, and Sm³⁺ could change the occupation status of ions in the tetrahedral and octahedral framework of CoAl₂O₄ spinel, leading to the colorant variation of the blue cobalt pigment CoAl₂O₄, With increasing the content of Sm³⁺ ion, the reflection peak position of the pigments in visible spectrum appeared a red-shift, ie the color transition from blue green to yellow green, and the average reflectivity in the violet region decreased to 13.31%, and the band gap energy also changed from 3.47 to 3.20 eV. This illustrates the better UV absorption of this green pigment and can be used as UV shielding material. With the hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide solution treatment, this pigment was found to be durable in chemical stability.     

White Light Emission from Sr2LiSiO4F:Sm3+,Tb3+ Phosphors Under Near‐UV Light Excitation

The Tb³⁺/Sm³⁺ codoped Sr₂LiSiO₄F white emitting phosphors were synthesized by a solid‐state reaction technique at high temperature. The X‐ray diffraction patterns, photoluminescence properties, and decay behaviors have been investigated. The Tb³⁺ emissions (blue and green) and Sm³⁺ emissions (orange) are both observed in the codoped samples Sr₂LiSiO₄F: 0.05Sm³⁺, xTb³⁺ by near‐UV light (370 nm) exciting. The white emission has been obtained by adjusting Tb³⁺ doping concentration at 5% (x = 0.05). These luminescent powders are expected to be a potential candidate as white emitting phosphor for near‐ultraviolet InGaN‐based white light‐emitting diodes.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Some Complexes Derived from Isatin Dye Ligand and Study of their Biological Potency and Anticorrosive Behavior on Aluminum Metal in Acidic Medium

Divalent Mn, Ni, Zn, and trivalent La complexes of H₃L ligand [N’,2-bis((Z)-2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)hydrazine-1 carbohydrazide] were synthesized and characterized via diverse spectroscopic methods (FT-IR, NMR, electronic, PXRD, and GC-MS), molar conductance and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The different ways of binding for the H₃L ligand with metal ions were inferred, as the H₃L ligand acted in mono-negative N²O tridentate, mono-negative N²O³ pentadentate, bi-negative N²O³ pentadentate, and tri-negative N²O³ pentadentate manners in coordination to Mn²⁺, Zn²⁺, La³⁺, and Ni²⁺ metal ions, respectively. DFT modeling was performed using the DMOL³/material studio software, and some of the experimental outcomes were interpreted and authenticated. Electrochemical performance of Mn²⁺ ions in the existence and absence of H₃L ligand was considered via cyclic voltammetry. The corrosion effectiveness of the H₃L ligand (inhibitor) to aluminum metal was evaluated, and the molecular dynamic (MD) simulations for adsorption of the H₃L inhibitor on Al surface were performed via FORCITE quench code. The isolated compounds were inspected for their antimicrobial (against C. albicans fungi, G⁺ bacteria S. aureus and B. subtilis, and G^? bacteria P. aeruginosa and E. coli), cytotoxic, and antioxidant (ABTS, and SOD) activities. A molecular docking study was performed to give the favorable binding sites for the ligand to E. coli, and S. aureus proteins.

     

Poly(2‐acrylamido glycolic acid‐co‐2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propane sulfonic acid): Synthesis,characterization, and retention properties for environmentally impacting metal ions

Poly(2‐acrylamido glycolic acid‐co‐2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propane sulfonic acid) [P(AGA‐co‐APSA)] was synthesized by radical polymerization in an aqueous solution. The water‐soluble polymer, containing secondary amide, hydroxyl, carboxylic, and sulfonic acid groups, was investigated, in view of their metal‐ion‐binding properties, as a polychelatogen with the liquid‐phase polymer‐based retention technique under different experimental conditions. The investigated metal ions were Ag⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Cr³⁺, and these were studied at pHs 3, 5, and 7. P(AGA‐co‐APSA) showed efficient retention of all metal ions at the pHs studied, with a minimum of 60% for Co(II) at pH 3 and a maximum close to 100% at pH 7 for all metal ions. The maximum retention capacity (n metal ion/n polymer) ranged from 0.22 for Cd²⁺ to 0.34 for Ag⁺. The antibacterial activity of Ag⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cd²⁺ polymer–metal complexes was studied, and P(AGA‐co‐APSA)–Cd²⁺ presented selective antibacterial activity for Staphylococcus aureus with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 2 μg/mL. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Phase Transformation in Ca3(PO4)2:Eu2+ via the Controlled Quenching and Increased Eu2+ Content: Identification of New Cyan‐Emitting α‐Ca3(PO4)2:Eu2+ Phosphor

A case of phosphor is reported where the cooling rate parameter significantly influences the luminescence property. By quenching the sample after the high‐temperature solid‐state reaction at 1250°C, we successfully prepared the Eu²⁺‐doped α form Ca₃(PO₄)₂ (α‐TCP:Eu²⁺) as a new kind of bright cyan‐emitting phosphor. The unusual emission color variation (from cyan to blue) depends on the cooling rate after sintering and Eu²⁺ doping level as it was observed in the TCP‐based phosphors. By the Rietveld analysis, it is revealed that the cyan‐ and blue‐emitting phosphors are two different TCP forms crystallizing in the monoclinic (space group P2₁/a, α‐TCP) and the rhombohedral structure (space group R3c, β‐TCP), respectively. Upon 365 nm UV light excitation, α‐TCP:Eu²⁺ exhibits an asymmetric broad‐band cyan emission peaking at 480 nm, while β‐TCP:Eu²⁺ displays a relatively narrow‐band blue emission peaking at 416 nm. The Eu²⁺‐doping in Ca₃(PO₄)₂ shifts the upper temperature limit of the stable structural range of β form from 1125°C to ≥1250°C. Moreover, the crystal structures of α/β‐TCP:Eu²⁺ were compared in the aspects of compactness and cation site sets. The emission thermal stability of α/β‐TCP:Eu²⁺ was comparatively characterized and the difference was related to the specific host structural features.     

The Extraction Ability and Sensitivity of Porphyrazine Derivatives Towards Some Transition Metal Cations

The synthesis of novel metal-free and magnesium porphyrazines, peripherally substituted with dithia-dioxa (S₂O₂) and tetrathia (S₄) 14-membered macrocycles were performed by cyclotetramerization of (6Z)-1,3,4,9,10,12-hexahydro-2,5,8,11-benzo-dioxadithiacyclotetradecine-6,7-dicarbodinitrile (3) or (6Z)-1,3,4,9,10,12-hexahydro 2,5,8,11-benzotetrathiacyclotetradecine-6,7-dicarbodinitrile (5). The metal-free porphyrazines have been obtained by known route. The structure of compounds were characterized by elemental analysis and ¹H, ¹³C NMR, IR, UV-vis, and MS spectral data. The solvent extraction properties of the synthesized compounds towards some metal cations, such as Ag(I), Hg(II), Cu(II), Mn(II), Cr(III), Ni(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) have been investigated. The effect of Cu²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Sr²⁺, Al³⁺, Zn²⁺, Ba²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Hg²⁺, and Ag⁺ ions on the absorption spectra of the compounds were investigated by means of spectrophotometric method. Magnesium porphyrazine with S₂O₂ (6) interacted within Hg²⁺ ion specifically of all the tested metal ions.     

Synthesis and properties of photosensitive poly(urethane‐acrylate) containing anil groups with application in the chemosensors area

Some aspects of the enol‐imine to keto‐enamine photoisomerism and fluorescent behavior of the new monomer with urethane and anil units in its structure, namely, methacryloyloxyethyl‐2‐carbamoyloxy(m‐methyl, o‐hydroxybenziliden)aniline (UAN), were studied comparatively with the corresponding copolymer poly (methacryloyloxyethyl‐2‐carbamoyloxy(m‐methyl, o‐hydroxybenziliden)aniline)‐co‐methyl methacrylate) (COP‐UAN). The structure, thermal properties, and morphology of the anil compounds were investigated by Fourier transform infrared, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, fluorescence spectroscopies, UV spectrophotometry, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and atomic force microscopy. The photochromic behavior of salicylideneanil units was investigated by UV/laser irradiation, and an inspection of their photophysical properties suggested that such structures could function as fluorescent chemosensors for some transition metals, a fluorescence quenching in the presence of different metal cations (Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Ni²⁺) being evidenced. The direct observation of an enhancement in the fluorescence emission caused of the presence of Zn²⁺ (solution) or Fe²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺ (thin film) would be rather suitable for the production of turn‐on fluorescent chemosensors. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers