A BODIPY based indicator for fluorogenic detection of salicylaldehyde with off–on emission

Abstract

A turn-on fluorescent indicator 1 based on a BODIPY derivative for the detection of salicylaldehyde in aqueous solution by fluorescence spectroscopy has been developed. The formation of a Schiff base between probe 1 and salicylaldehyde suppressed the PET process and prohibited the CN isomerization accounting for the fluorescence response of probe 1. Two major reaction products of probe 1 with salicylaldehyde were obtained and characterized by ¹H NMR and HRMS spectroscopy. Weakly fluorescent polymeric films have been obtained by embedding the indicator in PMMA, which can be used for the fluorescence detection of salicylaldehyde in polymer matrices.