“…To fulfill the optimized applicability, [11] as a future perspective, we suggested the following issues (Scheme 1) need to be further addressed: (1) Facile, low cost, green and high efficient synthesis procedures (e.g., one-pot or multi-component reactions) [12] need to be developed and employed to prepare new fluorescent probes; (2) To satisfy different thiophenol analytes and further optimize the sensing efficiency, new sensing mechanisms-based (e.g., AIEE, cascade-signaling, self-immolative) probes [13] need to be rationally designed and their molecular diversity need to be expanded; (3) Probe structure-sensing property relationships (SSPR), especially, the contribution of molecular factors (e.g., topology, linkage bonds, electrodonating/withdrawing groups (EDG/EWG), as well as flexibility/ rigidity) to the relevant sensing properties, need to be systematically studied; (4) For in vivo imaging and monitoring of thiophenols and toxicological analysis, new NIR probes (650-800 nm) possess low cytotoxicity, good water solubility and high cell membrane permeability, is highly demanded. Notably, in vivo NIR probes should avoid the risk of competition reaction of aliphatic biothiols (e.g., cysteine, homocysteine and glutathione) to thiophenols under enzyme catalysis in body fluid and cytoplasma; (5) For practical application, it is highly desirable to develop immobilized fluorescent probes by using functional polymers/dendrimers/nanomaterials as supporter or scavenger, through covalent or non-covalent surface modifica- (V/V = 3/2, pH = 7.4) [10] Scheme 1 Possible future directions for the R&D of thiophenol-specific fluorescent probes tion. [14] We believe that, in the near future, based on the dedicated works from chemists and biochemists worldwide, more and more efficient fluorescent probes for thiophenols detection will be created, optimized and employed in the fields of environmental analysis, eco-toxicology study, and in vivo bio-imaging.…”