A pyrene-based chromo-fluorogenic probe for specific detection of sarin gas mimic, diethylchlorophosphate.

Nerve agents are becoming serious issues for the healthy and sustainable environment of modern civilization. Therefore, its detection and degradation are of paramount importance to the scientific community. In the present contribution, we have introduced a chromo-fluorogenic pyrene-based  probe, (E)-2-methoxy-3-(pyren-1-ylimino)-3,8a-dihydro-2H-chromen-4-ol (PMCO) to detect sarin stimulant diethylchlorophosphate (DCP) in solution and gaseous phases. On inserting DCP in PMCO solution, a visual colorimetric change from yellow to clear colourless in daylight and highly intensified blue fluorescence was observed instantly under a 365 nm portable UV lamp light. PMCO has outstanding selectivity and high sensitivity with a limit of detection of 1.32 µM in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) medium and 77.5 nM in 20% H2O-DMSO. A handy strained paper strip-based experiment was demonstrated to recognize DCP in a mixture of similar toxic analytes. A dip-stick experiment was performed to identify DCP vapour, and may be used as an effective photonic tool. We also demonstrated real sample analysis utilizing different DCP-spiked water samples and validating DCP detection even in various types of soils such as sand, field, and mud. Therefore, this present study provides an effective chemosensor for instant and on-site detection of toxic nerve agents in dangerous circumstances.

Highly specific and sensitive chromo-fluorogenic detection of sarin, tabun, and mustard gas stimulants: a multianalyte recognition approach.

Nerve agents are the most notorious substances, which can be fatal to an individual because they block the activity of acetylcholinesterase. Fighting against unpredictable terrorist assaults and wars requires the simple and quick detection of chemical warfare agent vapor. In the present contribution, we have introduced a rhodamine-based chemosensor, BDHA, for the detection of nerve gas-mimicking agents diethylchlorophosphate (DCP) and diethylcyanophosphonate (DCNP) and mustard gas-mimicking agent 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES), both in the liquid and vapor phase. Probe BDHA provides the ability for detection by the naked eye in terms of colorimetric and fluorometric changes. It has been revealed that the interaction between nerve agents mimics and probe BDHA facilitates spirolactam ring opening due to the phosphorylation process. Thus, the highly fluorescent and colored species developed while probe BDHA is colorless and non-fluorescent due to the intramolecular spirolactam ring. Moreover, probe BDHA can effectively recognize DCP, DCNP, and CEES in the µM range despite many toxic analytes and could be identified based on the response times and quantum yield values. Inexpensive, easily carried paper strips-based test kits were developed for the quick, on-location solid and vapor phase detection of these mustard gas imitating agents (CEES) and nerve gas mimicking agents (DCP and DCNP) without needing expensive equipment or skilled personnel. More remarkably, the test strips' color and fluorescence can be rapidly restored, exposing them to triethyl amine (TEA) for cyclic use, suggesting a potential application in the real-time identification of chemical warfare agents. To accomplish the on-location application of BDHA, we have experimented with soil samples to find traces of DCP. Therefore, the chromo-fluorogenic probe BDHA is a promising, instantaneous, and on-the-spot monitoring tool for the selective detection of DCP, DCNP, and CEES in the presence of others.