Highly sensitive and selective gas sensing of methylamine and aniline with a new ternary europium complex material

A new fluorescent amine probe of complex Eu(TTolB)3(Phen) (1) (Phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, TTolB = 4-Trifluoro-1-(4-methylphenyl)−1,3-butanediketonate) is designed and synthesized. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction shows that 1•hexane crystallizes into solvated mononuclear ternary molecules. This material exhibits strong red emission dominated by the Eu3+ (5D0→7F2) transition not only in solid but also in doped film. Based on this probe, a thin film fluorescence sensor with highly sensitive and selective response to aniline and methylamine was developed by PMMA composite and cellulose-paper support. When the sensor was exposed to aniline/methylamine vapor, its photoluminescence (PL) emission showed a sensing behavior of rapid quenching. [Display omitted] •A new fluorescent amine probe of a ternary europium(III) complex material.•Strong red characteristic emission of Eu3+ in solution, doped film or solid state.•Thin film fluorescence sensor developed by PMMA composite and cellulose paper support.•PL emission of the sensor showed a sensing behavior of rapid quenching.•Highly sensitive and selective response to aniline and methylamine.