Self-assembly of a tripyrenylboron molecule towards solid sensor for fluoride anions

We have succeeded in the synthesis of a novel triarylboron compound TPB, in which an electron-accepting B atom is connected to three electron-donating pyrene molecules. Through the method of supramolecular self-assembly, this donor–acceptor molecule can easily form solid supermolecular structures, such as 1D nanowires, nanofibers, nanorods and highly orderly-patterned microslice arrays, which all showed blue-fluorescence. Interestingly, a unique feature was observed: the solid fluorescence of these supermolecular aggregates could be quenched by fluoride anions. This result indicated that these solid superstructural materials have a potential application in the detection and separation of fluoride anions.