The first fluorescent sensor for boronic and boric acids with sensitivity at sub-micromolar concentrations—a cautionary taleElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: PET sensors 1 and 2, 1H, 13C and 11B NMR data for 1 with and without phenylboronic acid (PBA). See http://www.rsc.org/suppdata/cc/b1/b103533a/

Abstract

The first reported fluorescent sensor for boronic and boric acids is actually not a sensor for boronic and boric acids but rather is a sensor for protons; the system is also not the first fluorescent sensor since Alizarin has been used as a fluorescent sensor for boric acids since 1936.