Issue 24, 2022

Halogen bonding and chalcogen bonding mediated sensing

Abstract

Sigma–hole interactions, in particular halogen bonding (XB) and chalcogen bonding (ChB), have become indispensable tools in supramolecular chemistry, with wide-ranging applications in crystal engineering, catalysis and materials chemistry as well as anion recognition, transport and sensing. The latter has very rapidly developed in recent years and is becoming a mature research area in its own right. This can be attributed to the numerous advantages sigma–hole interactions imbue in sensor design, in particular high degrees of selectivity, sensitivity and the capability for sensing in aqueous media. Herein, we provide the first detailed overview of all developments in the field of XB and ChB mediated sensing, in particular the detection of anions but also neutral (gaseous) Lewis bases. This includes a wide range of optical colorimetric and luminescent sensors as well as an array of electrochemical sensors, most notably redox-active host systems. In addition, we discuss a range of other sensor designs, including capacitive sensors and chemiresistors, and provide a detailed overview and outlook for future fundamental developments in the field. Importantly the sensing concepts and methodologies described herein for the XB and ChB mediated sensing of anions, are generically applicable for the development of supramolecular receptors and sensors in general, including those for cations and neutral molecules employing a wide array of non-covalent interactions. As such we believe this review to be a useful guide to both the supramolecular and general chemistry community with interests in the fields of host–guest recognition and small molecule sensing. Moreover, we also highlight the need for a broader integration of supramolecular chemistry, analytical chemistry, synthetic chemistry and materials science in the development of the next generation of potent sensors.

Graphical abstract: Halogen bonding and chalcogen bonding mediated sensing

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
29 mrt 2022
Accepted
10 mei 2022
First published
11 mei 2022
This article is Open Access

All publication charges for this article have been paid for by the Royal Society of Chemistry
Creative Commons BY license

Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 7098-7125

Halogen bonding and chalcogen bonding mediated sensing

R. Hein and P. D. Beer, Chem. Sci., 2022, 13, 7098 DOI: 10.1039/D2SC01800D

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

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