Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 11, 2026

Qualitative Identification of Carboxylic Acids, Boronic Acids, and Amines Using Cruciform Fluorophores
Published on: August 19, 2013
Visualization of latent fingerprints using two difluoroboron compounds containing pyrene and triphenylamine
Bangcui Zhang1, Zhi Peng2, Caihong Yang2
1School of Physical Science and Technology, Kunming University, Kunming 650214, PR China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Metal-Organic Molecular Materials and Device, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Kunming University, Kunming 650214, PR China.
Abstract:
Two difluoroboron compounds (2py-BF2-TPA and 2TPA-BF2-py), containing different amounts of pyrene and triphenylamine substituents, were synthesized to explore their potential application in latent fingerprint visualization. It was found that 2TPA-BF2-py, featuring one pyrene and two triphenylamine groups, exhibited a more significant intramolecular charge transfer than 2py-BF2-TPA, which contained one triphenylamine and two pyrene units). Both compounds displayed solvatochromism in seven organic solvents of varying polarity and aggregation-induced emission properties in DMSO/water mixtures. Their optical properties were well rationalized by quantum chemical calculation. The prepared staining agents successfully visualized latent fingerprints on the surfaces of three substrates. Sharp fingerprint patterns with well-resolved ridges were clearly detected, and all three levels of feature details could be also clearly identified. Further investigations demonstrated their stability over time and across temperature, ability to develop aged fingerprints, and inherent hydrophobicity. The specific response of two difluoroboron compounds to oleic acid-a component of sweat-was identified a key factor in latent fingerprints visualization. It was implied a potential application in forensic chemistry and criminal investigation.
More Related Videos
10:10Application of Elemental Lanthanides in the Selective C-F Activation of Trifluoromethylated Benzofulvenes Providing Access to Various Difluoroalkenes
Published on: July 28, 2018
06:55Synthesis of Cyclic Polymers and Characterization of Their Diffusive Motion in the Melt State at the Single Molecule Level
Published on: September 26, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Fluorination and Iodination of Benzene
IR Frequency Region: Fingerprint Region
Photoluminescence: Applications
Labeling DNA Probes
Radioisotopes, fluorophores, or small molecule binding partners like biotin or digoxigenin, are the most widely used reporter tags for labeling DNA probes. These labels can be attached to the probe DNA molecule via...