Monopyridyl-linked unsymmetrical anthracenyl π-conjugate as a platform for acid-pen and base-eraser

Abstract

Neither the bis nor the tetrakis-pyridyl system, but a simple monopyridyl-linked anthracenyl π-conjugate is established as a reversible protonation/deprotonation stimuli-responsive solid material with 129 nm red-shift in the fluorescence. This feature is applied to develop the fluorophore coated paper sheet to be used in security writings with an acid-pen and a base-eraser.