title: Fluorescent signaling based on sulfoxide profluorophores: application to the visual detection of the explosive TATP.
abstract: The first visual fluorescence-based assay for the peroxide explosive triacetone triperoxide (TATP) is described. The assay is based on a conceptually new fluorescence signaling mechanism, in which nonemissive pyrenyl sulfoxide profluorophores are oxidized to visibly emissive pyrenyl sulfones. Although not without limitations, these first-generation fluorescent probes can provide a visual response to ca. 100 nmol of TATP. In addition, the success of this assay suggests the potential for broader application of aryl sulfoxides in fluorescent chemosensing.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Sergey
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Malashikhin
authors.forename: Nathaniel S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Finney