Chemosensors displaying pH controlled multistage fluorescence emission

Abstract

A large number of systems displaying pH controlled multistages of fluorescence emission intensity, have not been recognized from this point of view. In this work we present two paradigmatic cases: (i) polyamine receptors linked to a fluorophore unit, in which the signal is modulated by an intra-molecular pH dependent electron transfer process, (ii) phenols presenting adiabatic excited state proton transfer. In the first example the chemosensors are constituted by a receptor unit containing a polyaza moiety suitable for binding protons (but also metal ions or anions). The receptor is linked to a benzene or naphthalene unit that acts as a fluorophore. The fluorescence signal is dependent on the protonation state of the receptor. In the second example, addition of buffers are used to tune the intensity of the fluorescence emission.