An easy prepared dual-channel chemosensor for selective and instant detection of fluoride based on double Schiff-base

•Synthesize an effective F− chemosensor•Study the mechanism by different way•Test trips can be used to detect F− easily.

A colorimetric and fluorescent dual-channel fluoride chemosensor N,N′-bis (4-diethylaminosalicylidene) hydrazine (sensor S) bearing two imine groups has been designed and synthesized. This structurally simple probe displays rapid response and high selectivity for fluoride over other common anions (Cl−, Br−, I−, AcO−, H2PO4−, HSO4−, ClO4−, CN− and SCN−) in a highly polar aqueous DMSO solution. Mechanism studies suggested that the sensor firstly combined with F− through hydrogen bonds and then experienced the deprotonation process at higher concentrations of F− anion to the two Ar-OH groups. The detection limit was 5.78 × 10− 7 M of F−, which points to the high detection sensitivity. Test strips based on sensor S were fabricated, which could act as a convenient and efficient F− test kit to detect F− for “in-the-field” measurement.

Graphical abstractA colorimetric and fluorescent dual-channel fluoride chemosensor N,N′-bis (4-diethylaminosalicylidene) hydrazine (sensor S) bearing two imine groups has been designed and synthesized. This structurally simple probe displays rapid response and high selectivity for fluoride over other common anions (Cl−, Br−, I−, AcO−, H2PO4−, HSO4−, ClO4−, CN− and SCN−) in a highly polar aqueous DMSO solution. Mechanism studies suggested that the sensor firstly combined with F− through hydrogen bonds and then experienced the deprotonation process at higher concentrations of F− anion to the two Ar-OH groups. The detection limits was 5.78 × 10− 7 M of F−, which pointing to the high detection sensitivity. Test strips based on sensor S were fabricated, which could act as a convenient and efficient F− test kit to detect F− for “in-the-field” measurement.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide