Naked-eye and fluorescence detection of basic pH and F− with a 1,8-naphthalimide-based multifunctional probe

Abstract

Based on 1,8-naphthalimide, a novel multifunctional colorimetric and fluorescent probe was designed and synthesized for basic pH and F⁻ naked-eye and fluorescence recognition with high sensitivity and excellent selectivity. The probe can detect F⁻ quantitatively in a concentration range of 0–16.7 μM and 0–20 μM in different methods, and the detection limit could be as low as 25 nM for F⁻. The detection of F⁻ on chromatography plates and the preliminary application of the probe to detect fluoride contents in toothpaste have been successfully demonstrated.