title: Pyrene-functionalised, alternating copolyimide for sensing nitroaromatic compounds.
abstract: A novel, pyrene-functionalised copolymer has been synthesised in a single step via imidisation of poly(maleic anhydride-alt-1-octadecene) with 1-pyrenemethylamine, and its potential for the detection of volatile nitro aromatic compounds (NACs) evaluated. The new copolymer forms complexes in solution with NACs such as 2,5-dinitrobenzonitrile, as shown by (1) H NMR, UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Moreover, thin films of this copolymer, cast from THF solution, undergo almost instantaneous fluorescence quenching when exposed to the vapour of 2,5-dinitrobenzonitrile (a model for TNT) at ambient temperatures and pressures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 6AD, UK.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Burattini
authors.forename: Howard M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Colquhoun
authors.forename: Barnaby W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Greenland
authors.forename: Wayne
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.forename: Mathew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wade