Simple and selective detection of hydrogen sulfide using fluorescent probe assisted with fluorous-tag: application for turbid dyeing solutions

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a toxic gas with a strong odor of rotten eggs, and accurate detection of H2S has attracted much attention because its toxicity may affect aquatic environments and human health. In recent years, many fluorescent probes for selective detection of H2S in real samples have been reported. However, recognizing H2S levels in turbid solutions using conventional fluorescent probe has been challenging because the opaque environment may interfere with their photophysical properties. To overcome this limitation, a fluoroustagging strategy can be used for the development of fluorescent sensors to detect H2S in turbid samples. A long perfluoroalkyl chain moiety, called ‘fluorous-tag’ have specific affinity with fluorous solvents and materials, and various approaches using fluorous-tagging strategy have been developed for purification in synthetic steps. Herein, it was demonstrated that fluorous-tagging strategy allowed for easy isolation of the fluorous-tagged probe using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material, while disturbing species were eliminated through a simple aqueous wash. This approach enabled the fluorescent probe to effectively quantify H2S, even in opaque solutions containing organic dyes that could interfere with fluorescence emission.