A pyrene-based highly emissive low-molecular-weight organogelator,
[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(pyren-1-yl)acrylonitrile] (F1), is presented,
which divulges thixotropic and thermochromic fluorescence switching
via reversible gel-to-sol transition and tremendous superhydrophobicity
(mean contact angles: 149–160°), devoid of any gelling
and/or hydrophobic units. The rationale for the design strategy reveals
that the restricted intramolecular rotation (RIR) in J-type self-assembly
promotes F1 for the prolific effects of aggregation- and gelation-induced
enhanced emission (AIEE and GIEE). Meanwhile, hindrance in charge
transfer via the nucleophilic reaction of cyanide (CN–) on the CC unit in F1 facilitates the selective fluorescence
“turn-on” response in both solution [9:1 (v/v) DMSO/water]
and solid state [paper kits] with significantly lower detection limits
(DLs) of 37.23 nM and 13.4 pg/cm2, respectively. Subsequently,
F1 discloses CN– modulated colorimetric and fluorescence
“turn-off” dual-channel response for aqueous 2,4,6-trinitrophenol
(PA) and 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) in both solution (DL = 49.98 and
44.1 nM) and solid state (DL = 114.5 and 92.05 fg/cm2).
Furthermore, the fluorescent nanoaggregates of F1 in water and its
xerogel films permit a rapid dual-channel “on-site”
detection of PA and DNP, where the DLs ranged from nanomolar (nM)
to sub-femtogram (fg) levels. Mechanistic insights reveal that the
ground-state electron transfer from the fluorescent [F1-CN] ensemble
to the analytes is responsible for anion driven sensory response,
whereas the unusual inner filter effect (IFE) driven photoinduced
electron transfer (PET) was responsible for self-assembled F1 response
toward desired analytes. Additionally, the nanoaggregates and xerogel
films also detect PA and DNP in their vapor phase with reasonable
percentage of recovery from the soil and river water samples. Therefore,
the elegant multifunctionality from a single luminogenic framework
allows F1 to provide a smart pathway for achieving environmentally
benign real-world applications on multiple platforms.