Development of a fluorescence-based sensor based on 1,8-naphthalimide for highly sensitive detection of phosgene

Developing advanced sensing technologies for phosgene is critical for public safety and national security. Here, we report a novel fluorescent probe NP (abbreviation for naphthalimide-based probe) for the selective detection of phosgene. The sensor was synthesized through a substitution reaction between 1,8-naphthalimide with 1,4,7-triazacyclononane. The high reactivity of probe NP towards phosgene led to a marked fluorescence emission turn-on, demonstrating the high selectivity of this sensor. Furthermore, a practical on-site detection method for phosgene was developed by loading probe NP on test strips. These test strips can detect gaseous phosgene below 1 ppm. The successful development of this sensor opens up new possibilities for detecting methods for phosgene.