Selective and colorimetric fluoride anion chemosensor based on s-tetrazines

Abstract

s-Tetrazine and their derivatives are found to be a class of selective and colorimetric chemosensors for fluoride anions. The supramolecular interaction (anion-π and charge/electron transfer) between fluoride ion and π-electron deficient tetrazines receptor could facilitate the F - -tetrazines electron transfer (ET) event that generates tetrazine - radical anion. Accordingly, the color of its solution changed from red to green. Furthermore, the recognition of F - in DMSO is tolerant to water (DMSO-H 2 O = 9:1, v/v) and shows excellent selectivity towards other anions, especially H 2 PO 4 - and OAc -. © 2012 The Royal Society of Chemistry.