NBN-Doped Conjugated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons as an AIEgen Class for Extremely Sensitive Detection of Explosives

A simple and efficient synthesis of NBN-doped conjugated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (such as diaza-borinines) has been accomplished by a catalyst-free intermolecular dehydration reaction at room temperature between boronic acid and diamine moieties with yields up to 99%. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with a six-membered NBN ring are a new class of aggregation-induced emissive luminogens. Extremely sensitive detection of ppb levels of TNT by phenyl naphthodiazaborinine is straightforward. Visual detection of TNT is illustrated by fabrication of TNT test strips, which can detect as little as 100 ng of TNT powder. This simple and sensitive detection of TNT has potential applications in the area of public safety and security against terrorist activities.