Scaffold-like 3D networks fabricated via the organogelation of β-diketone-boron for fluorescent sensing organic amine vapors

A new compoud based on carbazole functionalized beta-diketone-boron difluoride (1) was synthesized. It is found that compoud 1 can gel toluene, ethylbenzene and some mixed solvents, and 3D networks consisting lots of nanofibers were observed using SEM and fluorescence microscopy. The molecular packing model in xerogel 1 was proposed according to the results of XRD, UV/Vis absorption and semiempirical calculations. The obtained nanofibers prepared through organogelation can emit strong orange light under irradiation. It is interesting that the fluorescence of the nanofiber-based film can be quenched quickly and significantly upon exposed to the vapors of n-butylamine, dibutylamine, triethylamine, triethylamine, cyclohexylamine, aniline and pyridine instead of other common reagents. Notably, the response time of the nanofiber-based film to aniline vapor reached ca. 0.59 s, and the detection limit for aniline was as low as ca. 0.83 mL/m(3).