Fluorescent Detection of 2,4-DNT and 2,4,6-TNT in Aqueous Media by Using Simple Water-Soluble Pyrene Derivatives

Pyrene‐containing water‐soluble probes for the fluorescent detection of nitroaromatic compounds (NACs), such as explosive components (2,4‐DNT and 2,4,6‐TNT) and herbicides (2,4‐dinitrocresol, 2,4‐DNOC), in aqueous media are reported. In the probes, the introduction of surface‐active hydrophilic “heads” at the periphery of lipophilic (i.e., hydrophobic) pyrene “tails” resulted in the formation of highly fluorescent micelle‐like aggregates/pre‐associates in aqueous solutions at concentrations of ≤10−5 m. The enhanced fluorescence quenching of the herein reported architectures is achieved in the presence of ultra‐trace amounts of TNT or 2,4‐DNT with values of Stern–Volmer quenching constant close to 1×105 m−1 and a detection limit as low as 182 ppb. The most hydrophilic probes demonstrated higher response to 2,4‐DNT over TNT. Filter paper test strips impregnated with 1×10−5 m solutions of the probes were able to detect TNT, 2,4‐DNT, and other NACs at levels as low as 50 ppb in water. Detection of nitroaromatics: Pyrene‐containing water‐soluble probes for the fluorescent detection of nitroaromatic compounds (NACs), such as explosive components (2,4‐DNT and 2,4,6‐TNT) and herbicides (2,4‐dinitrocresol, 2,4‐DNOC), in aqueous media are reported. Filter paper test strips impregnated with 1×10−5 m solutions of the probes were able to detect NACs at levels as low as 50 ppb in water.