Stable optical oxygen sensing materials based on click-coupling of fluorinated platinum(II) and palladium(II) porphyrins—A convenient way to eliminate dye migration and leaching

Nucleophilic substitution of the labile para-fluorine atoms of 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl groups enables a click-based covalent linkage of an oxygen indicator (platinum(II) or palladium(II) 5,10,15,20-meso-tetrakis-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl)-porphyrin) to the sensor matrix. Copolymers of styrene and pentafluorostyrene are chosen as polymeric materials. Depending on the reaction conditions either soluble sensor materials or cross-linked microparticles are obtained. Additionally, we prepared Ormosil-based sensors with linked indicator, which showed very high sensitivity toward oxygen. The effect of covalent coupling on sensor characteristics, stability and photophysical properties is studied. It is demonstrated that leaching and migration of the dye are eliminated in the new materials but excellent photophysical properties of the indicators are preserved.