Contributed
(How to make) reaction-based fluorescent chemosensors

During the last couple of decades, reactive fluorescent molecular probes received a great deal of attention and arguably became the most popular area of chemosensory research. In a typical design, an analyte-reactive functional group is chemically attached to a fluorophore with the communication between the two parts achieved via intramolecular electron- or energy-transfer mechanisms. Yet, despite the enormous number of such probes reported in the literature precious few of them showed potential in the intended applications under relevant conditions, usually because of the issues of selectivity and stability. Unfortunately, these issues only become apparent after the probe is synthesized and its reaction – response data are collected. Here, we will present a novel technique which allows straightforward design and preparation of organic molecular chemosensors. We will demonstrate the applications of this technique in detection of several important analytes at concentrations similar or lower than those usually reported in the literature. Both, solution and gas phase analysis will be presented.