Selective colorimetric and fluorometric organogel sensors for the detection of F- and ClO- based on chiral glutamic and phenothiazine derivatives

A new type of organogelators based on chiral glutamic acid and phenothiazine derivative (G-L and G-D) were designed and synthesized, and the gelation properties in organic solvents were investigated. G-L was an excellent organogelator which could be formed extremely stable organogel (L-G) in cyclohexane. Specifically, the thermo-reversible organogel L-G was demonstrated to be a promising colorimetric and fluorometric sensor for the detection of F- and ClO- with high selectivity and sensitivity, accompanying a quick gel-to-sol transition. The sensing mechanisms were studied by H-1-NMR, HR-MS, and spectroscopic experiments. The detection limits of G-L for F- and ClO- are about 8.25 x 10(-7) M and 8.439 x 10(-7) M, respectively.