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Qualitative Identification of Carboxylic Acids, Boronic Acids, and Amines Using Cruciform Fluorophores
Published on: August 19, 2013
Selective and sensitive fluoride detection through alkyne cruciform desilylation
Minyoung Jo1, Jaebum Lim, Ognjen Š Miljanić
1Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, 112 Fleming Building, Houston, Texas 77204-5003, USA.
Organic Letters
|July 11, 2013
Summary
Fluoride ions can trigger a color change in specific benzobisoxazole cruciforms. This reaction is highly selective for fluoride, making it useful for sensing applications.
Area of Science:
- Organic Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Benzobisoxazole cruciforms are fluorescent organic molecules with potential applications in sensing.
- Silylethynyl substituents can be used to tune the photophysical properties of these molecules.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the desilylation of silylethynyl-substituted benzobisoxazole cruciforms using fluoride.
- To explore the potential of this reaction for fluoride sensing.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of silylethynyl-substituted benzobisoxazole cruciforms with fluoride ions.
- UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy to monitor changes.
Main Results:
- Desilylation occurred with stoichiometric amounts of fluoride, causing significant changes in UV-vis absorption and fluorescence.
- The response was observable at micromolar fluoride concentrations.
- A triisopropylsilyl-substituted cruciform showed high selectivity for fluoride over other common anions.
Conclusions:
- Desilylation of silylethynyl-substituted benzobisoxazole cruciforms by fluoride is a viable method for inducing photophysical changes.
- These cruciforms demonstrate potential as selective fluorescent sensors for fluoride ions.
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