A new colorimetric and fluorescent bis(coumarin)methylene probe for fluoride ion detection based on the proton transfer signaling mode

A new turn-on fluorescent and colorimetric sensor, oxidized bis(coumarin)methane (1) for fluoride in acetonitrile was designed and synthesized. The binding ability evaluated by UV–vis and fluorescence titration experiments reveals that 1 can selectively interact with fluoride. Upon addition of fluoride to receptor 1 in acetonitrile solution, the appearance of a new absorption band around 349 nm showed a color change from colorless to yellow, which can provide a way of ‘naked eye’ detection of fluorides. The spectral change of 1 is due to the anion induced deprotonation and hence an increase in charge density and rigidity of the receptor molecule. Furthermore, the binding mode with fluoride was investigated by 1H NMR titration experiments. Again, the deprotonation of oxidized bis(coumarin)methane 1 is responsible for the color change.