Colorimetric and fluorescence sensing of fluoride anions with potential salicylaldimine based schiff base receptors

Salicylaldimine based schiff base receptors with different substituents showing fluorescent enhancement in the presence of fluoride anion was visualized through naked eye as well as by change in spectral properties (UV–vis and fluorescent techniques). The reason for such fluorescence enhancement may be due to hydrogen bond interaction between receptor recognition site and fluoride anion. Such a hydrogen bond interaction creates a six-membered transition state, which avoids quenching processes. To support this, fluorescence enhancement factor (FEF) was calculated and it was found to be more (FEF = 652) for –NO2 substituted receptor compared to other receptors.