A selective turn-on fluorescent sensor for sulfur mustard simulants

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Chemical Sensing
• Environmental Monitoring

Background:

• Sulfur mustard (SM) is a chemical warfare agent requiring rapid and sensitive detection methods.
• Existing detection techniques may lack selectivity or sensitivity for SM simulants.
• Development of novel sensors is crucial for safety and security applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a fluorescent turn-on sensor for selective and sensitive detection of sulfur mustard simulants.
• To utilize a metal-ion indicator displacement assay (IDA) for enhanced detection capabilities.
• To validate the sensor's performance in various matrices, including water, surfaces, and soil.

Main Methods:

• A metal-ion indicator displacement assay (IDA) was employed.
• A dithiol reacted with the sulfur mustard simulant to form a podand.
• The podand displaced a fluorescent indicator (4-methylesculetin) from a Cd(2+)-indicator complex, inducing a turn-on fluorescence signal.

Main Results:

• The developed sensor demonstrated high selectivity for sulfur mustard simulants.
• The detection method showed high sensitivity with a clear turn-on fluorescence response.
• No interference was observed from other electrophiles, including oxygen analogues.
• The protocol was successfully applied to detect simulants on surfaces and in soil samples.

Conclusions:

• A novel fluorescent turn-on sensor based on IDA provides a rapid and selective method for detecting sulfur mustard simulants.
• The sensor exhibits excellent performance in complex matrices, indicating its potential for real-world applications.
• This sensor technology offers a promising tool for environmental monitoring and security.