Activity-Based Approach for Selective Molecular CO₂ Sensing

Area of Science:

• Chemical Sensing
• Molecular Probes
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Carbon dioxide (CO2) is vital to life, but selective molecular-level sensing remains challenging.
• Existing CO2 sensing technologies have limitations in complex environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a new class of selective fluorescent carbon dioxide molecular sensors (CarboSen).
• To address the unmet challenge of molecular-level CO2 sensing.
• To demonstrate the broad applicability of these sensors.

Main Methods:

• Design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel small molecules as CO2 sensors.
• Tailoring sensor reactivity and optical properties.
• Activity-based sensing approach.

Main Results:

• Successful development of CarboSen, a unique class of selective fluorescent CO2 sensors.
• Demonstrated utility in atmospheric sensing, chemical reaction monitoring, enzymology, and live-cell imaging.
• Showcased tailored reactivity and optical properties for diverse applications.

Conclusions:

• CarboSen sensors provide a breakthrough in selective molecular-level CO2 detection.
• These sensors are broadly applicable tools for monitoring and visualizing CO2 across multiple scientific disciplines.
• The activity-based approach overcomes existing sensing challenges.