Colorimetric fluoride sensor based on 1,8-naphthalimide derivatives

A colorimetric chemosensor TBS-NA, 4-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-N-butyl-naphthalimide was designed and synthesized. Addition of fluoride ion to a CH3CN solution of TBS-NA can result in an obvious color change (from colorless to yellow) and UV–Vis absorption spectral change in a short time. This indicated that TBS-NA had highly selectivity for fluoride detection over other anions, such as Cl−, Br−, I−, HSO4−, ClO4− and AcO− in CH3CN solutions, and the selectively detection was due to the selective cleavage of Si–O bond in TBS-NA by fluoride. The detection limit was calculated to be 0.59 μM.

► The sensor TBS-NA can detect fluoride ion with high selectivity in CH3CN solution over other anions.
► Addition of fluoride ion to a CH3CN solution of TSB-NA can result in an obvious color change (from colorless to yellow) and UV–Vis absorption spectral change in a short time.
► The absorbance of TBS-NA at 474 nm increased linearly with the concentration of fluoride from 10 to 100 μM.
► The detection limit was calculated to be 0.59 μM.