Fluorometric analysis of borohydrides based on reductive aldehyde-to-alcohol conversion of arylaldehydes

Abstract Fluorometric analysis of borohydride (BH 4 – ) species by the reduction of arylaldehydes to the corresponding arylmethanols was investigated. 9-Anthracenecarboxaldehyde ( 9-AA ) exhibited pronounced ratiometric fluorescence signaling behavior toward borohydride in alkaline aqueous media. The borohydride-selective signaling of 9-AA was unaffected by the presence of commonly encountered metal ions and anions. 1-Pyrenecarboxaldehyde ( 1-PA ) also showed comparable borohydride signaling behavior. The detection limit was found to be 7.4 μM (0.11 ppm) for 9-AA and 15.7 μM (0.23 ppm) for 1-PA . The utility of the probe with μPAD as a convenient tool for the determination of borohydrides was demonstrated.