Review on fluorescent donor–acceptor conjugated system as molecular probes

Abstract

In a donor–acceptor conjugated system, donor and acceptor mesomeric units associated with π-conjugated chromophores provide simple operational, sensitive, selective and non-destructive methods of detection. In this article, we reviewed certain donor–acceptor conjugated fluorescent probes including fluorescein, acridine, cyanine, rhodamine,boron‐dipyrromethenes, coumarin, squarine, bipyridine, and thiophene ring. Along with this photophysical and optical properties have also been discussed. We also talk over the significance of these probes in the biological system. We summarized the significance of these sensors in monitoring, imaging or sensing for in vitro and in vivo examination. We discussed certain probes to examine their synthetic route, detection properties and advantages over pre-established techniques. We summarized the various type of probes including intensity-based, turn on/off type and colorimetric probes.