Synthesis of imidazoaryl-BODIPY derivatives for anion sensing applications

•New imidazoaryl-BODIPY derivatives were synthesized.•Among all halides, selective and strong binding was observed with fluoride ion.•These sensors showed distinct color change in presence of F−, OH− and CN− under visible light, also, fluorescence quenching is observed under 365 nm light.•Limit of detection for fluoride ion is found to be as low as 4 × 10−6 M.•Anion sensing results were further studied by 1H NMR and cyclic voltammetric titration.

Imidazoaryl-BODIPY derivatives were synthesized and characterized for anion sensing applications. Absorption and emission methods were used to monitor the sensing of different anions. Our studies showed that these sensors interact with F− selectively and strongly as compare to other halides and hence are capable of detecting F− easily, in very small amount (4.3 × 10−6 M). To understand the interaction of anions with sensors 1H NMR titrations were carried out. It was found that anion interacts with N-H which results in the change in the absorption and emission properties. Binding constant for F− was found to be high, 4642900 M−1. For environmental applications and qualitative analysis detection of F−, CN− and OH− by these sensors in doped polymer films is also shown.

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