Rapid and sensitive detection of nerve agent mimics by meso-substituted BODIPY piperazines as fluorescent chemosensors

Chemosensors are rapid, portable and reliable methods for the field detection of chemical warfare agents. In this work, three meso-substituted BODIPY piperazines, BPA-1, BPA-2 and BPA-3, have been prepared for rapid and sensitive detections of nerve agent simulants (DCP and DFP) in solutions and in gaseous phase. Among three sensors, BPA-2 displayed the best fluorescence sensing performance toward DFP/DCP, and gave the lowest limit of detection of 35 nM for DFP and 15 nM for DCP in solutions. The sensing and luminescence mechanisms of three sensors and their sensing products have been clarified in terms of intramolecular charge transfer. Furthermore, BPA-2-embedded polymer test strips have been fabricated for the detection of DCP and DFP in gas phase, and displays rapid response (5 s), and high sensitivity (54 ppb DCP) and high selectivity. So it could achieve to instantaneous response toward a nerve agent. Therefore, the test strip with BPA-2 is a promising candidate for the field detection of nerve agents in liquid and gaseous states.

Automated summary

In this study, three meso-substituted BODIPY piperazines were prepared for the rapid and sensitive detection of nerve agent simulants. Among them, BPA-2 showed the best fluorescence sensing performance with the lowest detection limits. Polymer test strips embedded with BPA-2 exhibited rapid response, high sensitivity, and selectivity for detecting nerve agents in gas phase.