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Meng WQ, Sedgwick AC, Kwon N, Sun M, Xiao K, He XP, Anslyn EV, James TD, Yoon J. Fluorescent probes for the detection of chemical warfare agents. Chem Soc Rev 2023; 52:601-662. [PMID: 36149439 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00650b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Chemical warfare agents (CWAs) are toxic chemicals that have been intentionally developed for targeted and deadly use on humans. Although intended for military targets, the use of CWAs more often than not results in mass civilian casualties. To prevent further atrocities from occurring during conflicts, a global ban was implemented through the chemical weapons convention, with the aim of eliminating the development, stockpiling, and use of CWAs. Unfortunately, because of their relatively low cost, ease of manufacture and effectiveness on mass populations, CWAs still exist in today's world. CWAs have been used in several recent terrorist-related incidents and conflicts (e.g., Syria). Therefore, they continue to remain serious threats to public health and safety and to global peace and stability. Analytical methods that can accurately detect CWAs are essential to global security measures and for forensic analysis. Small molecule fluorescent probes have emerged as attractive chemical tools for CWA detection, due to their simplicity, ease of use, excellent selectivity and high sensitivity, as well as their ability to be translated into handheld devices. This includes the ability to non-invasively image CWA distribution within living systems (in vitro and in vivo) to permit in-depth evaluation of their biological interactions and allow potential identification of therapeutic countermeasures. In this review, we provide an overview of the various reported fluorescent probes that have been designed for the detection of CWAs. The mechanism for CWA detection, change in optical output and application for each fluorescent probe are described in detail. The limitations and challenges of currently developed fluorescent probes are discussed providing insight into the future development of this research area. We hope the information provided in this review will give readers a clear understanding of how to design a fluorescent probe for the detection of a specific CWA. We anticipate that this will advance our security systems and provide new tools for environmental and toxicology monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Qi Meng
- Department of Protective Medicine Against Chemical Agents, Faculty of Naval Medicine, Naval Medical University, 800 Xiangying Rd., Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Adam C Sedgwick
- Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Nahyun Kwon
- Department of Chemistry and Nanoscience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 120-750, Korea.
| | - Mingxue Sun
- Department of Protective Medicine Against Chemical Agents, Faculty of Naval Medicine, Naval Medical University, 800 Xiangying Rd., Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Kai Xiao
- Department of Protective Medicine Against Chemical Agents, Faculty of Naval Medicine, Naval Medical University, 800 Xiangying Rd., Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Xiao-Peng He
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Frontiers Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Rd., Shanghai 200237, China. .,The International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai 200438, China.,National Center for Liver Cancer, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Eric V Anslyn
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712-1224, USA.
| | - Tony D James
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK. .,School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
| | - Juyoung Yoon
- Department of Chemistry and Nanoscience, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 120-750, Korea.
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