HCHO-reactive molecule with dual-emission-enhancement property for quantitatively detecting HCHO in near 100% water solution

A dual-model fluorescent probe for formaldehyde has been developed. With excitation at 365 and 400 nm respectively and upon addition of formaldehyde, the fluorescent probe displays off-on fluorescence responses at 415 and 505 nm. Formaldehyde can be detected quantitatively in the concentration range from 0 to 2.7 × 10−2 M and the detection limit on fluorescence response of the probe can be as low as 6 μM. The proposed method was successfully employed for preliminary application in several commercially available foods.