Facile Iodine Detection via Fluorescence Quenching of β-Cyclodextrin:Bimane-Ditriazole Inclusion Complexes

Reported herein is the detection of iodine using a non-covalent association complex formed between a β-cyclodextrin host and a designer bimane ditriazole guest. This complex responds to the presence of iodine with a marked decrease in the observed fluorescence signal. A sub-nanomolar detection limit of this system in the solution-state was determined. Moreover, results using filter paper onto which the β-cyclodextrin-bimane complex was adsorbed show a noticeable advantage compared to the cyclodextrin-free bimane. Thus, highly sensitive on-paper colorimetric iodine detection was achieved.