Anthracene-based fluorescence turn-on chemodosimeter for the recognition of persulfate anion

The anthracene thiosemicarbazone (ATSC) fluorescence ‘turn-on’ chemodosimeter for the detection of the persulfate anion (S2O82−) in 90% DMSO has been developed. ATSC is simple and exhibits high selectivity toward S2O82− anion in the presence of large interferences from other anions or cations. A fluorescence change from blue to green visualized under the UV light makes it possible to detect the persulfate anion with naked-eye. A mechanism underlying the molecular recognition has been explained from the 1H-NMR and single crystal X-ray structure experiments.