Poly(fluoroalkylsilane-b-dialkylsilane)-based chemosensory material for fluoride with high sensitivity, selectivity and solubility

Poly((i-butyl-n-decylsilane) x -b-(methyl-3,3,3-trifluoropropylsilane) 1-x ) (PSi3) was prepared using a simultaneous block copolymerization with a conventional Wurtz-type condensation reaction. The block-like polysilane copolymer showed high selectivity and sensitivity toward fluoride ion (F - ) even in the coexistence of the halide ions (Cl - , Br - , and I - ), and high solubility to common organic solvents with the dielectric constants (e') between 1.88 (n-hexane) and 9.04 (benzotrifluoride). Such unique characteristics were derived from poly(methyl-3,3,3-trifluoropropylsilane) (PSi1) and poly(i-butyl-n-decylsilane) (PSi2) unit in the copolymer, respectively. In addition, sensitivity to F- and solubility in organic solvents were successfully optimized by adjusting the composition ratio between PSi1 and PSi2 unit.