A colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor for fluoride based on proton transfer.

N-Phenyl-N'-(3-quinolinyl)urea (1) has been developed as a highly selective colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor for fluoride ion based on a proton transfer mechanism. Evidences for the mechanism were provided by UV-vis and fluorescence titration and especially (1)H and (19)F NMR experiments. The sensor gave the largest ratiometric fluorescent response reported so far (R(max)/R(min) = 2620) to fluoride. Taking H(+) as the "recovering reagent", the sensor can be reversibly "used" and "recovered" for several cycles with only a slight decay of the response ability.