A selective detection of fluoride ions in DMSO by fluorescent and colorimetry competition assays based on 4-bromo-2,6-bis-(hydroxymethyl)phenol

A novel and very simple colorimetric and fluorometric method for selectively sensing F− was proposed based on 4-bromo-2,6-bis(hydroxymethyl)phenol (BBHMP), which is a simple and available phenolic receptor the absence of any special chromophoric function and with over wide range of anions (Cl−, Br−, I−, AcO−, HSO4−, NO3− and BzO−) in DMSO media. The colorimetric method is described for naked-eye detection of F− in the presence of the BBHMP. The BBHMP was found to show selective and sensitive fluorescence quenching response toward fluoride over than Cl−, Br−, I−, AcO−, HSO4−, NO3− and BzO−.