Solvatochromism as a tool to visually recognise wide range of commonly used solvents and inexpensive dye based optical sensor for H2O, D2O and H2O2

An inexpensive bisphenol based optical sensor (BP) obtained from single step reaction of 4-hydroxybenzyladehyde and 2,6-dimethyl phenol was designed and subsequently synthesized. BP effec-tively recognize wide range of commonly used solvents through solvatochromism. The recognition tech-nique of the solvents was also extended to computer application detection. Induced deprotonation enhanced the activity of sensor enabling detection of water and heavy water content in organic solvents up to 1.57 x 10-8 M and 2.64 x 10-8 M respectively as well as qualitatively distinguishing water from its heavy form. The BP effectively detect H2O2 colorometrically with LOD of 1.86 x 10-6 M and the efficiency of H2O2 detection was significantly improved through induced deprotonation of BP. Colorimetric and flurometric H2O2 detection of deprotonated form of BP (DBP) were also demonstrated. BP as well as DBP selectively detect H2O2 over other peroxides namely benzoyl peroxide and tert-butyl hydro peroxide. Then, BP was effectively immobilized in hydrogel matrix for solid state detection of H2O2 in purely aque-ous system through induced deprotonation of immobilized BP with base namely F-/CN-ion. The hydrogel composite film exhibit significant stability to various environmental conditions.(c) 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

An inexpensive bisphenol based optical sensor (BP) was synthesized to recognize a wide range of solvents and detect H2O2 effectively. The sensor showed high detection capabilities for water and heavy water content in organic solvents, as well as selective detection of H2O2 over other peroxides. Immobilization of BP in a hydrogel matrix allowed for solid state detection of H2O2 in purely aqueous systems with significant stability.