Detection of Ethylenediamine Using a Fluorescent Probe in Solution and in a PMMA Matrix

Fluorescent 3′,6′-bis(octyloxy)-p-terphenyl-4,4′-dialdehyde 3 has been successfully synthesized via a Suzuki cross-coupling reaction of the corresponding dibromo compound with a boronic acid compound in the presence of palladium catalyst. The fluorescent probe molecule has aldehyde groups at both ends, which can be used as reactive sites for amines. Alteration of emission is expected by an interaction of 3 with amines, specifically ethylenediamine, which can be a measure of amine concentration. Moreover, uniform-sized poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) particles were prepared to use as a probe matrix and 3 was incorporated in the PMMA particles during dispersion polymerization, which can be a sensitive and selective sensor platform for ethylenediamine.