Perylene diimide-based radical anions for the rapid detection of picomolar H₂O₂ in an aqueous medium

The formation of radical anions (PDI 1*) using H2S as a sacrificial electron donor in 50% HEPES buffer-THF solution is reported. PDI 1(center dot)(-) was confirmed by optical, I-V plot, CV, DPV, NOBF4 and EPR studies. PDI 1* has a half-life of 96 minutes in solution and 11 days in the solid state without any additive. The formation of PDI 1* was confirmed by AFM and SEM. PDI 1* can be used for the detection of 26.6 pM of H2O2 supported by optical and CV data.