•A novel silicon-oxygen aurone derivative TBDPSA was synthesized.•TBDPSA in aqueous solution exhibits obvious absorption and fluorescence response for F−.•The compound was successfully assembled on GO surface by π-π stacking.•GO improves recognition sensitivity and shortens response time of TBDPSA for F−.A novel silicon-oxygen aurone derivative TBDPSA was synthesized and used for the detection of fluoride anions in aqueous solution based on a specifically F−-triggered silicon-oxygen cleavage. Even though the compound has shown high selectivity, obvious absorption and fluorescence response for fluoride anions in aqueous solution, but it also is suffered from many limits, such as low detection sensitivity and long response time. Here the compound was successfully assembled on the graphene oxide (GO) surface by π-π stacking. GO improves recognition sensitivity and shortens response time of TBDPSA for fluoride anions by taking advantage of the nanocarrier GO. Compared with TBDPSA, the response time of GO/TBDPSA is shortened greatly from 1 h to < 5 s and the detection limit is lowered about four times with fluorescence as detected signal. Generally speaking, GO is an excellent promoter for accelerate recognition.Download high-res image (164KB)Download full-size image

A new fluorescence turn-on chemosensor based on two dipyridylamine groups substituted aurone moiety, 4’-2,2’-dipyridylamine-3-2,2’-dipyridylamine aurone (1), was synthesized. The recognition properties of the compound for cyanide anions and copper ions were investigated. Yellow fluorescence of the compound is almost quenched completely because of the complexation between the compound and copper ions. After the subsequent addition of cyanide anions, fluorescence spectrum is recovered to the original status of the compound owing to the strong bonding ability between cyanide anions and copper ions and the removal of copper ions from the complexes. The recognition also can be observed by naked eye. The compound exhibits a good reversibility and can be used repeatedly to recognize cyanide anions for several times.

•Four coumarin amide derivatives with 4-methyl coumarin or pyrene as terminal group were synthesized.•The compounds can recognize cyanide anions with obvious absorption and fluorescence spectra change.•Michael additions between the chemosensors and cyanide anions take place at the 4-position of coumarin.Four coumarin amide derivatives with 4-methyl coumarin or pyrene as terminal group have been synthesized. Their photophysical properties and recognition properties for cyanide anions have been examined. The results indicate that the compounds can recognize cyanide anions with obvious absorption and fluorescence spectra change, at the same time, obvious color and fluorescence change can be observed by naked eye. The in situ hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance spectra and photophysical properties change confirm that Michael additions between the chemosensors and cyanide anions take place at the 4-position of coumarin.

•Two new Schiff׳s base compounds were synthesized.•The compounds can recognize Cu2+ ions with fluorescence turn-on response in aqueous solution.•Cu2+ induced hydrolysis of the Schiff׳s base compounds.Two new salicylaldehyde Schiff base chemosensors have been synthesized. Their crystal structures, photophysical properties as well as recognition properties for Cu2+ ions have also been examined. Their absorption peaks exhibit obvious blue shift upon the addition of Cu2+ to a HEPES buffer–methanol (3:7, v/v) solution of the compounds. The compounds are found to be able to recognize Cu2+ ions with fluorescence turn-on response in aqueous solution owing to the hydrolysis of the hydrazone bond in the Schiff׳s base compounds induced by Cu2+ ions.

•Two chemosensors for cyanide anions were synthesized.•The compounds can recognize cyanide with obvious color and fluorescence change.•The compounds allow naked eye detection of cyanide anions.Two chemosensors for cyanide anions based on N-methylpyridinium cation and the boronic acid moiety structures have been synthesized. Spectral shifts and intensity changes in acetonitrile allow for both absorption and fluorescence emission wavelength ratiometric and colorimetric sensing. The compounds are found to be able to recognize cyanide anion with obvious color change and fluorescence turn-on response due to the sensors' ability to bind the cyanide anion through boronic acid functional group.Two fluorescence turn-on chemosensors for cyanide anions based on pyridine cation and the boronic acid moiety were prepared and can recognize cyanide anion with obvious color change and fluorescence turn-on response.