Highly selective fluoride sensing via chromogenic aggregation of a silyloxy-functionalized tetraphenylethylene (TPE) derivative

A silyloxy-functionalized tetraphenylethylene (TPE) derivative shows a remarkable change in the absorption spectrum on deprotection with fluoride ions. The reaction process is highly selective for fluoride and the resulting charge transfer band results in a bright green solution. A simple selective visual assay of aqueous fluoride ions was also obtained by the impregnation of cellulose strips with the TPE derivative.