Pyrenoviologen-based fluorescent sensor for detection of picric acid in aqueous solution

Two highly emissive pyrenoviologen derivatives were synthesized and used to fabricate fluorescent sensors for detection of picric acid (PA) with good sensitivity and selectivity. The sensitivity of the sensor was attributed to the specific electrostatic association effect of the cationic pyrenoviologens to the picrate anions, which also gave the sensor special selectivity among other compounds with similar structure. The electron transfer between them was attributed to the fluorescence response. Fluorescence lifetime measurements revealed that the quenching is static in nature. The novel and efficient pyrenoviologen derivatives-based sensors offered a strategy to fabricate real-life PA sensor.