Hydrogen bond regulated hydrogen sulfate ion recognition: an overview

Hydrogen sulfate possesses substantial biological importance, having a colossal impact on physiological and environmental events. Therefore, several scientific groups have devoted serious effort to the development of versatile colorimetric and fluorimetric HSO4- sensors. Along with the scope, challenges, and significance, this review emphasizes the advancement of the optical recognition of HSO4- based on hydrogen bonding during the past two decades. Moreover, hydrogen-bond-driven proton transfer, ESIPT, ICT, PET, CHEF, and TBET mechanisms that allow for the optical detection of HSO4- are also discussed concisely. The foundation of this review includes the key points of the sensing process, like the nature of spectroscopic changes, selectivity and sensitivity, naked-eye color changes, the reusability of sensors, and the in vivo detection of HSO4-, if any. Special attention is focused on the correlation between the photophysical changes and the underlying interaction mechanisms that triggered the recognition aspect.

Automated summary

This review focuses on the optical recognition of hydrogen sulfate based on hydrogen bonding over the past two decades, discussing mechanisms such as hydrogen-bond-driven proton transfer, ESIPT, ICT, PET, CHEF, and TBET. Key points of the sensing process, spectroscopic changes, selectivity, sensitivity, naked-eye color changes, reusability of sensors, and in vivo detection of HSO4- are emphasized, with special attention to the correlation between photophysical changes and recognition mechanisms.