Relationship between the structural specialties and morphologies based on a group of luminescent imidazole derivatives with sensing properties

A group of low molecular weight imidazole derivatives have been prepared. They have two sensitive features including ultra-violet absorption and fluorescence spectra to detect fluoride anions. Particularly, compound 5 had a special side chain moiety effect in the assembly of microstructures. Regular and densely packed 1D morphologies can be found and easily formed in the presence of water and other conventional organic solvents.