A salicylaldoximate-based AIE probe for the detection of the nerve agent simulant DCP

Abstract

Nerve agents are one of the most dangerous and toxic chemical warfare agents (CWAs). Their rapid detection is very important for specialized persons to take action against these substances. In this work, a salicylaldoximate-based aggregation-induced emission (AIE) probe, 2-hydroxy-5-(1,2,2-triphenylvinyl) benzoxime (TPE-D), was rationally designed for this purpose. The AIE fluorescent sensor has a tetraphenylethylene (TPE) unit combined with a salicylaldoximate moiety as the reaction site for a nerve agent simulant, diethyl chlorophosphate (DCP). TPE-D successively undergoes the formation of nitrile and the phosphorylation of a phenolic hydroxyl group after the salicylaldoximate moiety reacts with DCP, which will give a significant fluorescence “light-up” response due to the AIE effect within minutes.