Toward the Development of the Direct and Selective Detection of Nitrates by a Bioinspired Mo-Cu System

The development of a new platform for the direct and selective detection of nitrates Is described. Two thioether-based chemosensors and the corresponding sulfoxides and sulfones were prepared, and their photophysical properties were evaluated. Upon selective sulfoxidation of these thioethers with nitrates via an oxygen-transfer reaction promoted by a bioinspired Mo-Cu system, significant fluorescence shifts were measured. A selective response of these systems, discriminating between nitrate salts and H2O2, was also shown.