Chemodosimeter for Selective and Sensitive Chromogenic and Fluorogenic Detection of Mustard Gas for Real Time Analysis

Abstract

Since the first use of chemical warfare agents (CWA) (1915) to the recent attacks in Syria (2017) on mankind, there have been many incidents where CWA have claimed thousands of lives and left many more contaminated. In order to provide the appropriate and immediate medical counter measure to the victims, the exact classification of these chemical agents within few minutes on the field itself using a rapid and simple detection technique is extremely important to save the lives of the effected people. This has motivated all of us to explore the novel strategies/detection systems that can be field deployable with better selectivity and greater sensitivity. In view of this, we present a novel chemosensor, 3,6-bis(dimethylamino)-9(10H)-acridine thione (1), that can detect mustard gas and its simulant by both chromogenic and fluorogenic methods. For the first time, a single probe was able to demonstrate the detection with unprecedented selectivity over most probable interferences (nerve agents and alkylating agents) including solvents, acids, and bases which are routinely present in the environment. The desired level of sensitivity by naked eyes (0.04 mg/mL), UV spectroscopy (0.02 mg/mL), and fluorescence spectroscopy (0.005 mg/mL) makes this method truly field deployable. For the spot detection on the affected areas, a handy and potable chemosensor kit was also fabricated. This paper provides a simple, highly specific, and easy to use method in "actual sense" that not only detects the agents in the solution phase but also in the contaminated samples.

Highly Photostable and Luminescent Donor–Acceptor Molecules for Ultrasensitive Detection of Sulfur Mustard

“…To date, examples of fluorescent detection of trace SM vapor remain very limited. [ 24,39–43 ] Therefore, ultrasensitive detection of SM vapor by a reliable fluorescence sensor is critical. Quantitative evaluation of the detection sensitivity was performed at the Chemical Defense National Laboratory, where SM vapors at different concentrations were available.…”

Fluorescence detection of chemical warfare agents

“…更为棘手的是, 芥子气和芥氮气尚无解毒 药. 而且一旦化学战剂分散到环境中, 特别是不易挥发 的VX和芥子气等, 它们的剧毒性会保持数小时到数周 不等, 对生命和环境安全构成巨大威胁 [11,25,26] . 因此, 迫切需要开发出快速、有效、高灵敏度、高选择性并 且适宜实地使用的便携化检测技术.…”

“…Figure 8 Illustration of Anslyn group's approaches [11] (color online). 图 9 Kumar课题组开发的检测方法示意图 [11] (网络版彩图) 图 11 共组装的1和2荧光纳米纤维对模拟物DCP和CEES 的区分检测的示意图 [15] (网络版彩图) (网络版彩图) 表 1 不同类型的探针统计…”

“…Figure11 Schematic representation of the fluorescence detection and discrimination of DCP and CEES using the co-assembled nanofibers from molecules 1 and 2[15] (color online).…”

Detection Papers with Chromogenic Chemosensors for Direct Visual Detection and Distinction of Liquid Chemical Warfare Agents

“…However, during the last two decades, a lot of original works were published, referring particularly to chromogenic chemosensors for the G type nerve agents, featuring a significant change of color as well as good selectivity and sensitivity; these chemosensors are based on hydroxyl-activation, N-activation, and contain metal ions (coordination compounds), or possibly form reactive polymers [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. Many publications deal with new chemosensors for sulphur mustard [20][21][22][23][24]. The issue is that most of these chemosensors have only been verified using simulants (e.g., diethyl chlorophosphate (DCP), 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES), etc.…”