Vinylanthracene-Based Compounds as Electron-Rich Sensors for Explosives Recognition

Area of Science:

• Organic Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Vinylanthracene derivatives are known for their fluorescence properties.
• Developing selective and sensitive probes for analytes like picric acid is crucial for environmental and safety monitoring.
• Rigid and electron-rich π-systems can enhance molecular probe performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize novel vinylanthracene-based fluorescent molecules.
• To evaluate the efficacy of these molecules as selective and sensitive probes for picric acid detection.
• To investigate the sensing mechanisms in both solution and solid states.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of four new vinylanthracene-based fluorescent molecules by coupling vinylanthracene with ethynylbenzene.
• Characterization of the synthesized molecules using spectroscopic and analytical techniques.
• Fluorescence-based detection of picric acid in solution and solid states, including thin film experiments.

Main Results:

• The synthesized molecules form rigid and electron-rich π-systems.
• High sensitivity and selectivity for picric acid detection were achieved in both solution and solid states.
• Signal amplification in solution via photo-induced electron transfer (PET) and resonance energy transfer (RET).
• Enhanced solid-state sensitivity attributed to combined PET and exciton migration.

Conclusions:

• The novel vinylanthracene-based molecules are effective fluorescent probes for picric acid.
• The combined effect of PET and RET in solution, and PET and exciton migration in the solid state, enhances detection sensitivity.
• The molecules show potential for in-the-field picric acid detection applications due to their performance in thin film formats.