One-step synthesis of a sparkling fluorescent chemodosimeter: Selective and sensitive detection of triphosgene and application in tracing triphosgene in soil

Abstract

We have developed a glowing fluorescent chemodosimeter that utilizes excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) through a one-step synthesis process. This innovative chemodosimeter exhibited remarkable selectivity and sensitivity in detecting triphosgene, achieving a limit of detection (LOD) of 41 nM. The strong fluorescence of this probe at 504 nm was significantly quenched by triphosgene. This phenomenon is attributed to the formation of a new adduct upon the addition of guest, which restricts the ESIPT process and ultimately completely extinguishes the fluorescence. Furthermore, we have successfully extended the utility of this probe to determine trace amounts of triphosgene in soil samples of varying composition in solution and strip-based experiments. Notably, our chemodosimeter demonstrates effectiveness across a spectrum of soil types, detecting micromolar levels of triphosgene in complex soil matrices with a LOD of 1.59 µM. the promising sensing of triphosgene in complex soil system hold potential detection of extremely toxic chemical warfare presence in the environment.