1,2,3-Triazoles: Controlled Switches in Logic Gate Applications.

A 1,2,3-triazole-based chemosensor is used for selective switching in logic gate operations through colorimetric and fluorometric response mechanisms. The molecular probe synthesized via "click chemistry" resulted in a non-fluorescent 1,4-diaryl-1,2,3-triazole with a phenol moiety (). However, upon sensing fluoride, it TURNS ON the molecule's fluorescence. The TURN-OFF order occurs through fluorescence quenching of the sensor when metal ions, e.g., Cu, and Zn, are added to the -fluoride ensemble. A detailed characterization using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in a sequential titration study substantiated the photophysical characteristics of through UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence profiles. A combination of fluorescence OFF-ON-OFF sequences provides evidence of 1,2,3-triazoles being controlled switches applicable to multimodal logic operations. The "INH" gate was constructed based on the fluorescence output of when the inputs are F and Zn. The "IMP" and "OR" gates were created on the colorimetric output responses using the probe's absorption with multiple inputs (F and Zn or Cu). The sensor is the best example of the "Write-Read-Erase-Read" mimic.