Synthesis of crystallinity covalent organic framework and its ratiometric fluorescent detection of trace water

The sensitive and accurate detection of trace water in solid food products is of great significance for the pro-tection of their stability and quality. Herein, a novel crystalline COF TAPT-BPTA with fluorescence was prepared via Schiff-base condensation reaction between 4,4 ',4 ''-(1,3,5-Triazine-2,4,6-triyl)trianiline (TAPT) and 2,5-bis(2-propyn-1-yloxy)-1,4-benzenedicarboxaldehyde (BPTA). The fluorescence of TAPT-BPTA was sensitive to trace water and can be quenched due to the disruption of intermolecular charge transfer (ICT) process by water molecules. Hence, COF TAPT-BPTA was successfully applied for sensing of trace water in common organic solvents including acetone, acetonitrile, THF and DMF with rapid response (less than 3 s) and good sensing ranges (0.05-20 v/v% for acetone, 0.10-25 v/v% for THF, 0.05-15 v/v% for ACN, and 0.05-10 v/v% for DMF). The limit of detection of water in acetone, ACN, DMF, THF were 0.0585%, 0.0631%, 0.0185% and 0.0718% (v/ v), respectively. Additionally, using TAPT-BPTA as signal probe and tris(2,2 '-bipyridyl)ruthenium (II) dichloride with red fluorescent as reference, a ratiometric fluorescent sensor was prepared and successfully used for the sensing of trace water in milk powder samples.

Automated summary

The sensitive detection of trace water in solid food products is crucial for maintaining their stability and quality. A novel crystalline COF TAPT-BPTA with fluorescence was developed for this purpose, which can be quenched by trace water due to disruption of the intermolecular charge transfer process. The COF TAPT-BPTA demonstrated rapid response and wide sensing ranges in various organic solvents. It was also successfully used in a ratiometric fluorescent sensor for detecting trace water in milk powder samples.