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

Abstract 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 N H 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 HSO 4 − anions in DMSO solution. These receptors could response fluoride anion sensitively, visually and selectively in a manner of reversible with a low determination.