A trivalent organoboron compound as one and two-photon fluorescent chemosensor for fluoride anion

The photophysical properties of a fluorene derivative with three coordinated boron and nitrogen as electron acceptor and donor group, respectively, were studied. The bonding of this compound with fluoride anion was exactly examined by linear absorption and single and two-photon-excited fluorescence technique. This compound is shown to be a two-photon fluorescent sensor for fluoride anion with high sensitivity and selectivity, which can be mainly attributed to the B–F interaction.