A 4-N,N-dimethylaminoaniline salicylaldehyde Schiff-base solution-solid dual emissive fluorophore: An aggregation-induced turquoise emission characteristics in liquid as a fluorescent probe for Zn2+ response; a strong near-infrared emission in solid state and application for optical data storage.

A new Schiff-base 1 based on 4-N,N-dimethylaminoaniline salicylaldehyde is developed. It possesses unique solution-solid dual emission behaviour with emission color: an aggregation-induced bright turquoise emission in liquid and strong near-infrared emission in the solid state. Interestingly, on the one hand, compound 1 is promising a ratiometric fluorescent probe for Zn2+ ions detection in the aqueous solution with high sensitivity, selectivity, and relatively low detection limit. On the other hand, based on its inner stimuli-responsive nature, outstanding thermostability and photostability, 1 should be a very promising candidate for the write-once read-many optical data storage medium.

A through-bond energy transfer-based ratiometric fluorescent pH probe: For extreme acidity and extreme alkaline detection with large emission shifts.

A ratiometric fluorescence pH probe 1 based on through-bond energy transfer (TBET) with a 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole (HBO) as donor and a Rhodamine derivative as acceptor is developed through simple condensation reaction. The probe exhibits a ratiometric fluorescence emission (I593/I422) characteristics and linear response to extreme acidity range of 5.00-2.88, and a ratiometric fluorescence emission (I555/I422) characteristics and linear response to extreme alkaline range of 10.00-13.78, respectively. Moreover, 1 possesses highly selective response to pH over metal ions, good reversibility and excellent photostability. Probe 1 is cellpermeable and can distinguish near pH 5.55 fluctuations in Hela cells. Furthermore, 1 can be immobilized on a test paper, which shows a rapid and reversible colorimetric response to HCl/NH3 vapor by the naked-eye.

Colorimetric chemosensors based on diketopyrrolopyrrole for selective and reversible recognition of fluoride ions.

A series of colorimetric and reversible receptors for fluoride anions based on diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) were designed and synthesized successfully. The position of nitro substituent on the phenylhydrazide affected the alteration of photophysical properties to varying degrees. While the photoluminescence intensity of receptor 1 was weaker than that of receptor 2 and receptor 3 on account of the formation of intramolecular hydrogen bond deriving from oxygen atom of nitro substituent and hydrogen atom of hydrazide. The receptor 2 was a preferable chemosensor for responding fluoride anions. The fluorescence was quenched in the presence of fluoride anion resulted from the photo-induced electron transfer (PET) effect from the amide. The formation of deprotonation species, which produced by hydrazide NH moiety and F- was answerable for the spectral changes. Especially, the spectral and color responses of receptors could be switched back and forth successively by adding F- and HSO4- anions in DMSO solution. These receptors could response fluoride anion sensitively, visually and selectively in a manner of reversible with a low determination.