Control of pyrene fluorescence intensity by in situ addition of CO2 to an amidine/amine mixture or CO2 removal from an amidinium carbamate ionic liquid

Abstract

Addition of CO(2) to an equimolar amidine/amine mixture leads to formation of a switchable ionic liquid, an amidinium carbamate, and appearance of strong fluorescence by a solute, pyrene. Passing a 'displacement gas', N(2), through the ionic liquid or heating it regenerates the amidine/amine mixture and quenches the fluorescence almost totally. No switching or appreciable fluorescence is found when an amidinium dithiocarbamate is the medium.