Dual-state emission difluoroboron derivatives for selective detection of picric acid and reversible acid/base fluorescence switching

A difluoroboron derivative (TPEBF) was designed and synthesized by combining tetraphenylethylene with α-cyanostilbene units. TPEBF emits high dual-state fluorescence both in solution and the solid state, and was applied in the sensing of picric acid.