Visual detection of fluoride ion based on ICT mechanism

• Published in: Spectrochimica acta. Part A, Molecular and biomolecular spectroscopy Molecular and biomolecular spectroscopy, 2019-04, Vol.213, p.354-360
• Main Authors: Sahu, Sutapa, Sikdar, Yeasin, Bag, Riya, Maiti, Dilip K., Cerón–Carrasco, José Pedro, Goswami, Sanchita
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Astrophysics; Colorimetric sensing; F− detection; Ninhydrin; Physics; Thiosemicarbazide
• ISSN: 1386-1425; 1873-3557
• DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2019.01.073

A novel chemosensor (H3NTS) has been designed for a fast and accurate detection of F− in acetonitrile medium. The UV–Vis, 1H, 13C NMR experiments and computational calculations demonstrate that H3NTS probe offers a potential colorimetric sensor for discriminating F− among other relevant anions. The detection limit is as low as 6 μM and a reversible colorimetric switch could be devised by sequential addition of F−/Ca2+. The promising application of H3NTS is also confirmed in real examples where the concentration of F− is a critical parameter, e.g., commercial toothpaste, paper strip and gel form analysis of samples. A ninhydrin–thiosemicarbazide conjugate colorimetrically detects fluoride ion reversibly in different phase with high selectivity. [Display omitted] •A sensor was synthesized from ninhydrin, o–phenylenediamine and thiosemicarbazide.•Colorimetric detection of F− can be achieved by the chemosensor.•DFT and TD–DFT calculations are used to get insight regarding mechanism of sensing.•Sensing ability of the probe was successfully assessed using real life samples.