A new naphthalimide derivative as a selective fluorescent and colorimetric sensor for fluoride, cyanide and CO2

• A new naphthalimide derivative 1 showed selective UV/vis absorption and fluorescence changes with F− and CN−.
• Colorimetric and fluorescence changes of chemosensor 1 with F− or CN− were revived upon exposure to CO2.
• We demonstrated a novel anion-activated sensing strategy for CO2.

A new naphthalimide derivative 1 is reported as an anion-activated CO2 chemosensor. Among the various anions, chemosensor 1 displayed selective colorimetric and fluorescence changes with F− and CN−. Hydrogen bonding interactions between amine groups and anions can be attributed to these changes. The exposure of CO2 revived the original color and fluorescence, so that distinct “On-Off-On” fluorescence emission changes were observed, for this anion-activated CO2 sensing mechanism.

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