A rapid and facile fluorimetric method for detecting formaldehyde

2-amino-6-(piperazin-1-yl)-1H-benzo[de]isoquinoline-1,3(2H)-dione (NPz) was rationally designed and synthesized as a rapid and facile fluorimetric derivatization reagent for detecting formaldehyde. Compared with the other fluorimetric derivatization reagents, NPz possessed a marked advantage on the time consumption. Upon addition of formaldehyde, NPz showed an obvious fluorescence enhancement at room temperature within 4 min. The fluorescent test papers loaded with NPz were prepared and applied in the detection of formaldehyde qualitatively. (C) 2015 Published by Elsevier B.V.