Metastable 9‐Fluorenone: Blueshifted Fluorescence, Single‐Crystal‐to‐Single‐Crystal Reactivity, and Evaluation as a Multimodal Fingermark Visualization Treatment. Issue 41 (27th June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Florence, Grace E.; Bruce, Katy A.; Shepherd, Helena J.; Gee, William J.
• Is Part Of: Chemistry. Volume 25:Issue 41(2019)
• Page Start: 9597
• Page End: 9601
• Publication Date: 2019-06-27
• Subjects: Fingermark -- Fluorenone -- Fluorescence -- Forensics -- Raman spectroscopy; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/chem.201901301
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0947-6539

Abstract

Abstract: A metastable form of 9‐fluorenone (MS9F) has been characterized using Raman spectroscopy, fluorimetry, and X‐ray diffraction techniques. MS9F emits blue fluorescence ( λ max =495 nm) upon 365 nm irradiation and undergoes a single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal (SCSC) transformation to reach the ground state form (GS9F) over approximately 30 minutes, whereupon it emits the expected green fluorescence. A structure–property relationship for this fluorescent behavior has been posited. MS9F and GS9F were applied as a means of visualizing latent fingermarks on a nonporous surface. This approach identified three different modes of fluorescent fingermark visualization using 9‐fluorenone. Abstract : The unexpected discovery of two unique emissive forms of 9‐fluorenone after using it to treat latent fingerprints (see figure) has resulted in the characterisation of a new metastable polymorph. This species exhibits single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal reactivity, blue‐shifted fluorescent emission, and potential forensic applications.