Differential detection of strong acids in weak acids: a combination of a benzimidazole-carbazole backbone with AIE luminophores as highly sensitive and selective turn-on fluorescent probes
Journal
New Journal of Chemistry
Journal Volume
46
Journal Issue
21
Pages
10317-10327
Date Issued
2022
Author(s)
Abstract
o-BzcDPE and p-BzcDPE have been synthesized and used as probes for strong acid detection. The probes contain aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) that are incorporated with a benzimidazole-carbazole backbone. Both probes show turn-on green fluorescence with a good contrast in the presence of trace amounts of strong acids in a weak acid environment. These probes are not only suitable for visual detection of strong acids, but also exhibit high selectivity, excellent sensitivity, and short response time and are capable of quantitative detection of strong acids with a good linear relationship. A concentration of H2SO4 as low as 1 mol% in acetic acid can be differentiated. The fluorescence-turn-on mechanisms are due to protonation on the benzimidazole moiety that have been proved by X-ray crystallographic analysis and NMR spectroscopy. © 2022 The Royal Society of Chemistry
SDGs
Other Subjects
Fluorescence; Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; X ray crystallography; Aggregation-induced emissions; Benzimidazoles; Differential detection; Fluorescent probes; Green fluorescence; Luminophores; Strongest acid; Synthesised; Trace amounts; Weak acids; Probes
Type
journal article