Selective detection of nitrite ion by an AIE-active tetraphenylethene dye through a reduction step in aqueous media

This paper reports a highly selective nitrite ion receptor based on an AIE-active tetraphenylethene-bearing amino functionality. In water, the receptor has been shown to be selective for nitrite ion (NO2-) over other anions (NO2-, CH3COO-, NO3-, CO32-, S2O32-, SO42-, HSO3-, and Cl-), with pronounced changes in absorption characteristics i.e. red-shift of similar to 30 nm. The visual observation of colour change, shift in absorption, and enhancement of emission, clearly show that this receptor is very selective and sensitive to nitrite ions.