A turn-off fluorescence probe based on terpyridine for pH monitoring

A new pH-dependent fluorescence probe 2,8-bis((E)-4-([2,2 ':6 ',2 ''-terpyridin]-4 '-yl)styryl)-6H,12H-5,11-methanodibenzo[b,f][1,5]diazocine (TBPTP) based on Troger's base (TB) bound to terpyridine was designed and synthesized. Photophysical properties and titration experiments of TBPTP were investigated by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. TBPTP exhibited high sensitivity in an acidic environment with the working pH range 7.2-2.5, especially having a good liner response to pH changes in the range 2.5-4.3, which suggested that TBPTP is a good candidate for pH monitoring.