Fluoride anion recognition by a multifunctional urea derivative: An experimental and theoretical study
- Schiller, J. 2
- Pérez-Ruiz, R. 2
- Sampedro, D. 1
- Marqués-López, E. 4
- Herrera, R.P. 4
- Díaz, D.D. 23
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1
Universidad de La Rioja
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2
University of Regensburg
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3
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas
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4
Universidad de Zaragoza
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ISSN: 1424-8220
Year of publication: 2016
Volume: 16
Issue: 5
Type: Article
More publications in: Sensors
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Abstract
In this work we demonstrate the ability of a multifaceted N,Nʹ-disubstituted urea to selectively recognize fluoride anion (F−) among other halides. This additional function is now added to its already reported organocatalytic and organogelator properties. The signaling mechanism relies on the formation of a charge-transfer (CT) complex between the urea-based sensor and F− in the ground state with a high association constant as demonstrated by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The nature of the hydrogen bonding interaction between the sensor and F− was established by 1H-NMR studies and theoretical calculations. Moreover, the recovery of the sensor was achieved by addition of methanol. © 2016 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.