Fluoride ions play an important role in many chemical

biological

medical and military processes because of strongest electronegativity

the smallest ion radius

and strong Lewis base. Low levels of fluoride ions have shown to be effective for prevention of dental caries and treatment of osteoporosis. But high concentration of fluoride intake is harmful to human body. It may cause dental fluorosis

skeletal fluorosis

urolithiasis and diseases such as cancers. Therefore

the recognition and detection of fluoride ions is of great significance. Fluoride fluorescent probes have attracted a wide spread attention due to its high selectivity and sensitivity

speediness and convenience

low cost

etc. In recent years

the researchers designed and synthesized a large number of fluorescent probes for fluoride ions. According to detection mechanism

fluorescent probes for fluoride ions mainly contained three types: 1) the hydrogen bond type; 2) Lewis acid style; and 3) the hydrogen bond and Lewis acid mixed. In this paper

the research progress of different types of fluorescent probes for fluoride ions respectively was reviewed

the advantages and disadvantages of different types were summed up

and the future research of fluorescent probes for fluoride ions was prospected.