Heterogeneous wide range pH-sensing materials allowing ratiometric fluorescence detection based on structurally rigid analogs of 2,6-distyrylpyridine.

The new sensing materials based on the microsized silica gel powder with non-covalently immobilized structurally rigid analogs of 2,6-distyrylpyrydine ((3E,5E)-3,5-dibenzylidene-8-phenyl-1,2,3,5,6,7-hexahydrodicyclopenta[b,e]pyridines) were developed and tested. Most of the investigated compositions demonstrate linear ratiometric fluorescence response on pH in the physiologically important interval (pH 6-9). The compound with the greatest number of protolytic centers within the studied series demonstrated the widest pH sensitivity range, however in this case the analytical signal was the lowest. The prospects for the practical application of the investigated materials in the fiber optics sensing devices were outlined.