Impact of Hydrogen Bonding on the Fluorescence of N-Amidinated Fluoroquinolones

Abstract

The fluorescence properties of AIE-active N-amidinated fluoroquinolones, efficiently obtained by a perfluoroaryl azide–aldehyde–amine reaction, have been studied. The fluorophores were discovered to elicit a highly sensitive fluorescence quenching response towards guest molecules with hydrogen-bond-donating ability. This effect was evaluated in a range of protic/aprotic solvents with different H-bonding capabilities, and also in aqueous media. The influence of acid/base was furthermore addressed. The hydrogen-bonding interactions were studied by IR, NMR, UV/Vis and time-resolved fluorescence decay, revealing their roles in quenching of the fluorescence emission. Due to the pronounced quenching property of water, the N-amidinated fluoroquinolones could be utilized as fluorescent probes for quantifying trace amount of water in organic solvents.