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Molecular Sensors and Ion Detection
Research Guide
What is Molecular Sensors and Ion Detection?
Molecular sensors and ion detection refers to the development and application of fluorescent chemosensors for recognizing and signaling the presence of anions, metal ions, and reactive oxygen species through changes in fluorescence, often used in bioimaging and studies of neurodegenerative diseases.
The field encompasses 72,534 works focused on fluorescent chemosensors, anion recognition, metal ion detection, and supramolecular chemistry. These sensors enable detection of ions and species like reactive oxygen species via fluorescence modulation. Applications extend to bioimaging and investigations into neurodegenerative diseases.
Topic Hierarchy
Research Sub-Topics
Fluorescent Chemosensors for Metal Ions
Fluorescent chemosensors detect metal ions through chelation-induced emission changes. Researchers design selective probes for transition metals using PET, FRET, and ICT mechanisms.
Anion Recognition by Fluorescent Sensors
Anion sensors employ hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions for recognition. Studies focus on chloride, phosphate, and fluoride sensors in aqueous environments.
Supramolecular Fluorescent Probes
Supramolecular probes use host-guest chemistry for analyte-responsive fluorescence. Research explores cyclodextrin, calixarene, and cucurbituril-based sensor arrays.
Reactive Oxygen Species Fluorescent Detection
Fluorescent probes detect ROS like superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and hypochlorite. Probe design targets specific reactivity while minimizing autofluorescence.
Fluorescent Probes for Bioimaging
Bioimaging probes enable real-time visualization of analytes in live cells and tissues. Researchers optimize photostability, biocompatibility, and two-photon excitation properties.
Why It Matters
Fluorescent chemosensors provide selective detection of ions critical for biological and environmental monitoring. Kreno et al. (2011) in "Metal–Organic Framework Materials as Chemical Sensors" demonstrated metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as platforms for sensing vapors and ions, with examples achieving detection limits below 1 ppm for nitroaromatics. de Silva et al. (1997) in "Signaling Recognition Events with Fluorescent Sensors and Switches" detailed sensors for metal ions like Na+ and Ca2+ and anions like H2PO4-, enabling real-time monitoring in physiological conditions. Thomas et al. (2007) in "Chemical Sensors Based on Amplifying Fluorescent Conjugated Polymers" showed amplified fluorescence responses for ion detection, enhancing sensitivity in vapor and solution phases across chemical industries.
Reading Guide
Where to Start
"Signaling Recognition Events with Fluorescent Sensors and Switches" by de Silva et al. (1997) provides a foundational overview of fluorescent sensor mechanisms for ions, ideal for beginners due to its comprehensive classification of signaling modes.
Key Papers Explained
de Silva et al. (1997) "Signaling Recognition Events with Fluorescent Sensors and Switches" established core principles of fluorescence modulation for ion recognition, which Kreno et al. (2011) "Metal–Organic Framework Materials as Chemical Sensors" extended to porous MOF hosts for amplified sensing. Thomas et al. (2007) "Chemical Sensors Based on Amplifying Fluorescent Conjugated Polymers" built on these by introducing signal amplification via polymer scaffolds. Mei et al. (2015) "Aggregation-Induced Emission: Together We Shine, United We Soar!" addressed aggregation quenching issues from earlier sensors, enhancing brightness for bioimaging applications.
Paper Timeline
Most-cited paper highlighted in red. Papers ordered chronologically.
Advanced Directions
Research continues on integrating AIE with MOFs for dual-mode sensing, as implied in Hu et al. (2014) "Luminescent metal–organic frameworks for chemical sensing and explosive detection". Focus remains on bioimaging probes for neurodegenerative diseases, with no recent preprints available.
Papers at a Glance
| # | Paper | Year | Venue | Citations | Open Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Use of Dinitrosalicylic Acid Reagent for Determination of Redu... | 1959 | Analytical Chemistry | 28.2K | ✕ |
| 2 | Aggregation-Induced Emission: Together We Shine, United We Soar! | 2015 | Chemical Reviews | 7.8K | ✕ |
| 3 | Metal–Organic Framework Materials as Chemical Sensors | 2011 | Chemical Reviews | 7.0K | ✕ |
| 4 | Signaling Recognition Events with Fluorescent Sensors and Swit... | 1997 | Chemical Reviews | 6.9K | ✕ |
| 5 | Aggregation-induced emission | 2011 | Chemical Society Reviews | 6.1K | ✓ |
| 6 | Introduction and General Overview of Cyclodextrin Chemistry | 1998 | Chemical Reviews | 4.8K | ✕ |
| 7 | Protein and cell membrane iodinations with a sparingly soluble... | 1978 | Biochemical and Biophy... | 4.6K | ✕ |
| 8 | Chemical Sensors Based on Amplifying Fluorescent Conjugated Po... | 2007 | Chemical Reviews | 4.1K | ✕ |
| 9 | Classification of chemical bonds based on topological analysis... | 1994 | Nature | 4.1K | ✕ |
| 10 | Luminescent metal–organic frameworks for chemical sensing and ... | 2014 | Chemical Society Reviews | 4.1K | ✕ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are fluorescent chemosensors?
Fluorescent chemosensors are molecular systems that change fluorescence upon binding specific ions or analytes. They operate through mechanisms like photoinduced electron transfer or excimer formation. This enables selective detection of metal ions, anions, and reactive oxygen species in complex media.
How do aggregation-induced emission (AIE) materials function in ion detection?
AIE luminogens emit strongly upon aggregation, avoiding quenching common in traditional fluorophores. Mei et al. (2015) in "Aggregation-Induced Emission: Together We Shine, United We Soar!" explained how AIE probes detect ions by aggregation triggered by analyte binding. Hong et al. (2011) in "Aggregation-induced emission" highlighted their use in bioimaging with high signal-to-noise ratios.
What role do metal-organic frameworks play in molecular sensing?
MOFs serve as scaffolds for hosting fluorescent dyes or metal centers that respond to ions. Kreno et al. (2011) in "Metal–Organic Framework Materials as Chemical Sensors" reported tunable porosity enabling selective gas and ion sensing. Hu et al. (2014) in "Luminescent metal–organic frameworks for chemical sensing and explosive detection" described LMOFs detecting nitro explosives at parts-per-billion levels.
How are fluorescent sensors applied in bioimaging?
Fluorescent sensors penetrate cells for real-time ion imaging without genetic modification. de Silva et al. (1997) outlined probes for intracellular Ca2+ and pH monitoring. Their use in neurodegenerative disease studies tracks reactive oxygen species dynamics.
What is the current scale of research in this field?
The topic includes 72,534 papers on molecular sensors and ion detection. High-citation works like Miller (1959) "Use of Dinitrosalicylic Acid Reagent for Determination of Reducing Sugar" (28,153 citations) link to broader analytical methods. Growth data over 5 years is not available.
Open Research Questions
- ? How can fluorescent chemosensors achieve sub-nanomolar detection limits for biologically relevant anions like phosphate in cellular environments?
- ? What structural modifications in AIEgens enhance selectivity for specific metal ions over interfering species?
- ? How do MOF-based sensors integrate multiple analytes for multiplexed ion detection in vivo?
- ? Which supramolecular designs improve sensor response times for reactive oxygen species in neurodegenerative models?
- ? Can conjugated polymer sensors be engineered for reversible ion detection in aqueous media without photobleaching?
Recent Trends
The field maintains 72,534 works with sustained interest in fluorescent probes, as evidenced by high citations for Mei et al. (7,844 citations) on AIE and Kreno et al. (2011) (6,978 citations) on MOF sensors.
2015No growth rate over 5 years or recent preprints reported, indicating stable foundational research without specified accelerations.
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