A simple ratiometric and colorimetric chemosensor for the selective detection of fluoride in DMSO buffered solution

• An easy-to-prepare fluoride sensor was synthesized.
• Anion recognition phenomenon can be observed by naked-eye.
• Recognition mechanism was proved by the 1H NMR titration experiments and DFT calculations.

A derivative of squaramide (cyclobuta[b]quinoxaline-1, 2(3H, 8H)-dione) has been synthesized for the ratiometric and colorimetric sensing of F− in aqueous solution in competitive fashion. With F−, probe 1 showed a highly selective naked-eye detectable color change along with a characteristic UV–Vis absorbance over other tested ions, which probably originates from the deprotonation occurred between 1 and F−, as proved by the 1H NMR titration experiments and DFT calculations.

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