Interrupted energy transfer: highly selective detection of cyclic ketones in the vapor phase.

TitleInterrupted energy transfer: highly selective detection of cyclic ketones in the vapor phase.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsCox, JR, M\üller, P, Swager, TM
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume133
Pagination12910–3
Date Publishedaug
ISSN1520-5126
KeywordsEnergy Transfer, Explosive Agents, Explosive Agents: analysis, Fluorescence, Gases, Heterocyclic Compounds, Heterocyclic Compounds: analysis, Ketones, Ketones: analysis
Abstract

We detail our efforts toward the selective detection of cyclic ketones, e.g. cyclohexanone, a component of plasticized explosives. Thin films comprised of a conjugated polymer are used to amplify the emission of an emissive receptor via energy transfer. We propose that the energy transfer is dominated by an electron-exchange mechanism to an upper excited state of the fluorophore followed by relaxation and emission to account for the efficient energy transfer in the absence of appreciable spectral overlap. Exposure to cyclic ketones results in a ratiometric fluorescence response. The thin films show orthogonal responses when exposed to cyclic ketones versus acyclic ketones. We demonstrate that the exquisite selectivity is the result of a subtle balance between receptor design and the partition coefficient of molecules into the polymer matrix.

URLhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21809865
DOI10.1021/ja202277h