Stibonium Ions for the Fluorescence Turn-On Sensing of F^– in Drinking Water at Parts per Million Concentrations

The 9-anthryltriphenylstibonium cation, [<b>1</b>]⁺, has been synthesized and used as a sensor for the toxic fluoride anion in water. This stibonium cation complexes fluoride ions to afford the corresponding fluorostiborane <b>1</b>-F. This reaction, which occurs at fluoride concentrations in the parts per million range, is accompanied by a drastic fluorescence turn-on response. It is also highly selective and can be used in plain tap water or bottled water to test fluoridation levels