Fluorescent probes for chemical warfare agents:Molecular design and sensing mechanisms

Chemical warfare agents (CWAs), particularly organophosphorus nerve agents, pose a severe threat to both military personnel and civilian populations. The rapid and sensitive detection of CWAs is therefore of paramount importance for environmental surveillance, public safety, and emergency response. In addition to classical nerve agents, certain highly toxic industrial chemicals, such as cyanide, are also relevant in chemical threat scenarios. Consequently, the development of efficient and reliable detection technologies for these hazardous toxicants has become an urgent priority in environmental protection and public safety. Fluorescent probes have emerged as powerful analytical tools owing to their high sensitivity, real-time monitoring capability, and operational simplicity. This review provides a systematic overview of recent advances in fluorescent probes for the detection of nerve agents and related toxicants, with particular emphasis on molecular design strategies, fluorescence response mechanisms, and emerging applications in environmental monitoring and chemical biology. Furthermore, we critically discuss current technical challenges and future perspectives, including improvements in field deployability, multiplexed detection capability, and biocompatibility.