Detection of illicit GHB using AIE active fluorene containing α-Cyanostilbenes

A “Turn-On” fluorescence probe based on a cyanostilbene scaffold was developed for the detection of a sedative γ- Hydroxy Butyric Acid (GHB). The cyanostilbenes show characteristic aggregation-induced emission in water except for fluorene substituted hydroxy cyanostilbene. But upon interaction with GHB in ethanol–water mixtures, the compound shows strong emission accompanied by shifts in the wavelength induced by H-bond supported intramolecular charge transfer. Also, the dye-coated chromatographic strips give visual demarcation of solution with GHB in different ethanol–water fractions. Overall, the probe design with AIE behavior provides a powerful and sensitive strategy to detect psychoactive substrates such as GHB in ethanol–water mixtures.