| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1428969 | Materials Science and Engineering: C | 2012 | 4 Pages |
In this paper, a new p-nitrophenylhydrozine-based anion receptor 1 containing cholesterol group had been designed and synthesized. It could selectively recognize fluoride among different anions tested with color changes from pale yellow to red for visual detection. Simultaneously, it could gel in cyclohexane, and the gel was also fluoride-responsive. When treated with TBAF (tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride), the gel could undergo gel–sol transition accompanied by color, morphology and surface changes. The binding mechanism had been investigated by UV–vis and 1HNMR (proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra) titrations. From SEM (scanning electron microscope), SAXS (small-angle X-ray scattering), IR (Infrared Spectroscopy) and CA (contact angle) experiments, it was indicated that the addition of F− could destroy the molecule assembly of host 1 in the gel state, thus resulting in the gel-to-sol transition due to the binding site competition effect. To the best of our knowledge, this was the simplest fluoride-responsive organogel with high selectivity.
Graphic abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► A novel kind receptor for selective recognition of fluoride had been designed. ► Its organogel was also fluoride-responsive. ► This is the simplest fluoride-responsive organogel with high selectivity.
