Chromophore-derivatized semifluorinated polymers for colorimetric and turn-on fluorescent anion detection

Semifluorinated polymers incorporating π-conjugated segments diphenylbithiophene and a distyrylbenzene derivative as chromophoric main chain subunits have been prepared via a transition metal-free polymerization technique, and explored as anion sensors. One polymer exhibits visually identifiable colorimetric changes and photoluminescence enhancement in response to fluoride or cyanide over other common anions such as OAc−, P2O74−, Cl−, Br−, I−, PO43−, or HSO4− in THF. Modest dissociation constants of 4.5 × 10−5 M and 6.7 × 10−3 M were determined for binding of fluoride and cyanide, respectively, to the most responsive polymer.