A Dual colorimetric and Fluorometric Anion Sensor Based on Polymerizable 1, 8-Naphthalimide Dye

A new polymerizable fluorescent sensor based on the photoinduced electron transfer PET for the selective determination of fluoride ions in DMF solutions has been synthesized. The sensing system was prepared by incorporating 4-Amino-1,8-naphthalimide derivatives containing thiourea side chain at the amino moiety AFTN as a neutral F- selective flourophore and was characterized by use of the DSC, FTIR, 1HNMR, 13CNMR and elemental analysis. The ability of AFTN to copolymerize with vinyl monomers of styrene by free radical copolymerization was demonstrated in order to design a potential polymer base flourophore sensor. The selectivity for F− among the halides is attributed mainly to the hydrogen-bond interaction of the receptor with F−. The results showed that this fluoroionophore could serve as a novel fluorescent sensor for further application.