Zinc(II)-Enhanced Excimer Probe for Recognition of MDMB-CA Synthetic Cannabinoids

Specific recognition with optical responses towards the analytes which are structurally diverse and weak chemical-active remains a big challenge but is of great significance. Here, a zinc(II) enhanced fluorescent emission probe was developed by conjugated modulating and metal bridging to specifically recognize synthetic cannabinoids (SCs). The transformed luminescence mechanism from excimer emission to fluorescence resonance energy transfer was demonstrated upon the integration of coordination and non-covalent interactions towards target SCs. As a result, the specific and instant detection of the certain type SCs (MDMB-CA series) was achieved in complicated sample medium. Hence, we envisage that this work would not only offer a novel recognition strategy for SCs, but also advance the development of the optical sensing probe especially for analyzing the substances with diverse structures and weak chemical-activity, as well as for fighting against the illicit drugs.