Development and application of fluorescent probes for the selective and sensitive detection of F- and oxyfluorfen

Oxyfluorfen is a widely used fluorine-containing pesticide for resistant weed control. It is essential to develop a method that can rapidly and efficiently detect oxyfluorfen. Herein, a novel fluorescent sensor, N-n-butyl-4-(2thiophene)-naphthalimide (TNA), was constructed used to determine oxyfluorfen based on hydrogen bond and deprotonation. TNA was applied to detect F- and oxyfluorfen, with limits of detection calculated to be 0.48 ?M and 1.21 ?M, respectively. Furthermore, 1H NMR titration was carried out to demonstrate the detection mechanism. TNA solution-coated paper strips were developed for F- detection. The present work indicated that the TNA sensor has great potential application in monitoring F- and oxyfluorfen in real samples.