Rationally Designed Self-Immolative Rotaxane Sensor Based on Pillar[5]arene for Fluoride Sensing.

We develop a self-immolative rotaxane sensor for fluoride sensing based on host-guest interactions between pillar[5]arene and fluoride-promoted cleavage of Si-O bond. Because of the selective and fast reaction between silane and fluoride, the rotaxane sensor shows anion selectivity and rapid response. The self-immolative nature of the rotaxane improve its sensitivity. Moreover, a fluoride sensing test paper based on the rotaxane sensor is made, which shows the practicable application of the rotaxane sensor.