Fluoride sensing by catechol-based π-electron systems.
We have developed new catechol-based sensors that can detect fluoride via fluorescence or optical absorption even in the presence of other halides. The level and sensitivity of detection of the sensing molecules is dependent on the chromophore length, which is controlled by the number of thiophene units (one to three) within the chromophore. The sensor with three thiophene units, (E)-2-(2,2'-terthiophen-5-yl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)acrylonitrile, gives the best response to fluoride. By using fluorescence measurements fluoride is detectable over the concentration range 1.7 μM to 200 μM. Importantly, when adsorbed onto a solid support the fluorescent catechol dye can be used to detect the presence of fluoride in aqueous solution.
Centre for Organic Photonics & Electronics, The University of Queensland, Queensland, 4072 Australia.
Byeong-Kwan
BK
An
Xin
X
Wang
Paul L
PL
Burn
Paul
P
Meredith
D000181:Acrylonitrile / Q000737:chemistry; D002396:Catechols / Q000737:chemistry*; D004583:Electrons; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry; D005459:Fluorides / Q000737:chemistry*; D011789:Quantum Theory; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
D002396:Catechols; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; C034221:catechol; D000181:Acrylonitrile; D005459:Fluorides