Efficient colorimetric and fluorescent detection of fluoride in DMSO-water mixtures with arylaldoximesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Including additional spectroscopic data and crystal structure data. CCDC 932310 and 932311. For ESI and crystallographic data in CIF or other electronic format see DOI: 10.1039/c3ob41078a

Fluoride detection through hydrogen bonding or deprotonation is most commonly achieved using amide, urea or pyrrole derivatives. The sensor molecules are often complex constructs and several synthetic steps are required for their preparation. Here we report the discovery that simple arylaldoximes have remarkable properties as fluoride anion sensors, providing distinct colorimetric or fluorescent readouts, depending on the structure of the arylaldoxime. The oximes showed exceptional selectivity towards fluoride over other typical anions, and low detection limits for fluoride in both DMSO and DMSO-water mixtures were obtained. Simple arylaldoximes have been revealed to be efficient sensors for fluoride.