A PET and ESIPT-communicated ratiometric, turn-on chromo-fluorogenic sensor for rapid and sensitive detection of sarin gas mimic, diethylchlorophosphate.

Fast and precise identification of toxic G-series nerve agents in the solution and vapor phase is urgently needed to save human beings from unwanted wars and terrorist attacks, which is challenging to execute practically. In this article, we have designed and synthesized a sensitive and selective phthalimide-based chromo-fluorogenic sensor, DHAI, by a simple condensation process that shows ratiometric and turns on chromo-fluorogenic behavior towards Sarin gas mimic diethylchlorophosphate (DCP) in liquid and vapor phases, respectively. A colorimetric change, from yellow to colorless, is observed in the DHAI solution due to the introduction of DCP in daylight. A remarkable cyan color photoluminescence enhancement is noticed in the presence of DCP in the DHAI solution, which is observable to the naked under a portable 365 nm UV lamp. The mechanistic aspects of the detection of DCP by employing DHAI have been revealed by time-resolved photoluminescence decay analysis and H NMR titration investigation. Our probe DHAI exhibits linear photoluminescence enhancement from 0 to 500 μM with a detection limit of nanomolar range from non-aqueous to semi-aqueous media. For practical utility, a DHAI-stained test kit employing Whatman-41 filter paper has been fabricated and used as a portable and displayable photonic device for on-site detection of Sarin gas surrogate, DCP. Also, a dip-stick experiment has been demonstrated to identify the vapor of Sarin gas mimics DCP colorimetrically and fluorometrically. The concentrations of DCP in various water samples have been evaluated with the help of a standard fluorescence curve for real sample analysis.