An experimental and theoretical study on mechanistic insights into urolithin-based ratiometric fluorescent probe for instant quantitative detection of fluoride ions.

Fluoride detection has been playing an important role in chemical, biological, and medicinal field, especially for keeping physical health and resisting environmental pollution. Herein, a urolithin B fluorescent probe has been successfully developed with good sensitivity, selectivity, anti-interference ability. The low limit of detection (LOD) refers to 0.156 μM, and the instant response time to F− is less than 1 s. The probe is suitable for quantitatively and qualitatively ratiometric detection for F− in solution with two distinct emission bands at 425 (blue) and 566 nm (orange), with the coordinate change of CIE from (0.38, 0.41) to (0.22, 0.11). Urolithin B displayed a remarkable ratiometric fluorescence response towards F−. The detection mechanistic was further proposed by NMR and electronic spectroscopic experiments combining with time-dependent density functional theoretical calculation. [Display omitted] • A Ratiometric fluorescent probe was developed. • The photochemical properties and LOD of UB to F− were investigated. • Mechanism of UB sensing toward F− was confirmed by 1H NMR, DFT and TD-DFT calculation. • Response time less than second could be applied as an instant detection. • Coordination ratio for UB and F− was determined according to Job's plot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]