A Rapid, Highly Sensitive and Selective Phosgene Sensor Based on 5,6-Pinenepyridine

The toxicity of phosgene (COCl2) combined with its extensive use as a reactant and building block in the chemical industry make its fast and accurate detection a prerequisite. We have developed a carboxylic derivative of 5,6-pinenepyridine which is able to act as colorimetric and fluorimetric sensor for phosgene in air and solution. For the first time, the formation of a pyrido-[2,1-a]isoindolone was used for this purpose. In solution, the sensing reaction is extremely fast (under 5 s), selective and highly sensitive, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 9.7 nM/0.8 ppb. When fixed on a solid support, the sensor is able to detect the presence of gaseous phosgene down to concentrations of 0.1 ppm, one of the lowest values reported to date.

Automated summary

A new sensor has been developed for the fast and accurate detection of phosgene in air and solution. The sensor is highly sensitive, selective, and capable of detecting phosgene in solution within 5 seconds with a limit of detection of 9.7 nM/0.8 ppb. When fixed on a solid support, it is able to detect phosgene down to concentrations of 0.1 ppm.