There is great need for stand-alone luminescence-based chemosensors that exemplify selectivity, sensitivity, and applicability and that overcome the challenges that arise from complex, real-world media. Discussed herein are recent developments toward these goals in the field of supramolecular luminescent chemosensors, including macrocycles, polymers, and nanomaterials. Specific focus is placed on the development of new macrocycle hosts since 2010, coupled with considerations of the underlying principles of supramolecular chemistry as well as analytes of interest and common luminophores. State-of-the-art developments in the fields of polymer and nanomaterial sensors are also examined, and some remaining unsolved challenges in the area of chemosensors are discussed.

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Supramolecular Luminescent Sensors

Recent progress in fluorescent probes for detection of carbonyl species: Formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and phosgene

In this work, we reported an anthracene carboxyimide-based chemosensor (AC-Phos) for colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescence detection of highly toxic phosgene, which displayed rapid response (<5 min) toward phosgene with a high selectivity and a low detection limit (2.3 nM). Furthermore, a facile testing membrane with a polystyrene immobilizing chemosensor has been fabricated for real-time visualizing of gaseous phosgene.

Colorimetric and Ratiometric Chemosensor for Visual Detection of Gaseous Phosgene Based on Anthracene Carboxyimide Membrane.

A colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent probe with ultralow detection limit and high selectivity for phosgene sensing

An ultrasensitive fluorescent probe for phosgene detection in solution and in air

A boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY)-based fluorescent probe with a phosgene-specific reactive motif shows remarkable selectivity toward phosgene, in the presence of which the nonfluorescent dye rapidly transforms into a new structure and induces a fluorescent response clearly observable to the naked eye under ultraviolet light. Given that dynamic, a prototypical handheld phosgene detector with a promising sensing capability that expedites the detection of gaseous phosgene without sophisticated instrumentation was developed. The proposed method using the handheld detector involves a rapid response period suitable for issuing early warnings during emergency situations.

/pdf/a-bodipy-based-fluorescent-probe-to-visually-detect-phosgene-4m0xrmlst8.pdf

A BODIPY-Based Fluorescent Probe to Visually Detect Phosgene: Toward the Development of a Handheld Phosgene Detector.

This review discusses biocompatible hydrogels and stimuli-responsive 3D networking polymeric materials and building blocks of nanopharmaceuticals. We aimed to outline the basics of gels and hydrogels, responsive behaviors, and applications such as therapeutic and drug carriers, bioimaging agents, biosensing elements. The review also covers significant challenges, limitations, opportunities, new approaches, and future perspective. We review the general aspects of hydrogels to refresh the basic knowledge and theory that is covered in the section “General Properties of the Gels.” It discusses green synthesis of nanogels, swelling, and responsive and mechanical behavior of the gels. We also reviewed the broad applications of gels including therapeutic agent carriers, drug, protein, and genetic material delivery systems. In a separate section, biosensing and imaging applications have been reviewed from recent reports. Overall we highlighted advantages of hydrogels and their evolution that providing broad functionality, stability, and responsiveness as well as low toxicity. We also discussed the limitations and challenges as well as unique opportunities for developing alternative synthesis and processing strategies that revolutionize common understandings. In the last section, as closing remarks, the future needs in nanopharmaceutical applications have been elaborately articulated, and the combination of biomimetic-synthetic hydrogels and biocompatibility has been discussed.

Busra Yildiz

Papers

A BODIPY-Based Fluorescent Probe to Visually Detect Phosgene: Toward the Development of a Handheld Phosgene Detector.

Biomimetic and Synthetic Gels for Nanopharmaceutical Applications