Synthesis and Photophysical Characterization of Proton Transfer-Based Thiourea Derivatives: Potential Application as Colorimetric Naked-Eye Chemosensor for Fluoride Detection in Solution

Two new thiourea derivatives were synthesized through the reaction of photoactive aminohydroxybenzazoles and p-isothiocyanate benzoic acid via nucleophilic addition reaction. The compounds were characterized using high resolution mass spectrometry with eletrospray ionization (HRMS-ESI), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), C and H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies. UV-Vis and steady-state fluorescence in solution were also applied to characterize their photophysical behavior. The compounds present absorption in the ultraviolet region (ca. 300 nm) and fluorescence emission with a large Stokes’ shift in the UV-A and green region, with the longer wavelength related to phototautomerism in the excited state (ESIPT). Both compounds were investigated as optical sensors for the detection of anions in solution, presenting a potential application for fluoride ion detection by naked-eye and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The continuous variation method plot gave a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio between the chemosensors and F for the new formed species. The UV-Vis and H NMR titration experiments reflect the establishment of a hydrogen bond interaction between the thiourea moiety of the chemosensors and fluoride. In addition, the presence of fluoride in solution tailored the fluorescence emission of one compound favoring the ESIPT emission.