A new colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor based on thiacalix[4]arene for fluoride ions

A new thiacalix[4]arene based fluorescent chemosensor thiacalix[4]arene-N-(quinolin-8-yl)acetamide (TCAN8QA) has been synthesized. TCAN8QA has been found to exhibit highly selective behavior for F(-)ions among all other anions, that is, Cr-, Br-, I-, PO4-3, OH-, H2PO4-, and CH3COO- in the absorption spectra as well as in the emission spectra. Red shift and quenching in emission spectra constituting the signature for fluoride detection are due to photoinduced charge transfer (PCT) which can be attributed to deprotonation of acidic NH proton in the presence of fluoride ions. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.