Dansyl-carbazole AIEE material for selective recognition of thiourea derivatives

Abstract

A new dansyl-carbazole based compound DACB is designed and synthesized, which exhibits aggregation induced emission enhancement (AIEE) behaviour in H₂O : THF (60 : 40, v/v). The persistence of AIEE in DACB can be attributed to the presence of intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions as proved by single crystal X-ray data crystal. The aggregates of DACB in H₂O : THF (60 : 40, v/v) are utilized for recognition of thiourea and urea derivatives. It is observed that aggregates of DACB in H₂O : THF (60 : 40, v/v) selectively recognize thiourea motifs over urea motifs. The affinity pattern observed among thiourea derivatives follows the order, tetramethylthiourea (TMTU) > dimethylthiourea (DMTU) > thiourea (TU).