Rapid portable detection of chemical warfare agent mimic diethyl chlorophosphate (DCP) using a rhodamine-quinoline conjugated probe with fluorescent "turn-on" and chromogenic responses, and cancer cell imaging

초록

Quantification of highly toxic nerve agents is critical due to their deep health risks and potential for catastrophic consequences, highlighting the necessity for quick, reliable, and on-site sensing platforms. In this study, we present a portable, high-performance sensor specifically engineered for diethyl chlorophosphate (DCP), designed to deliver ultra-fast response, operational simplicity, and robust applicability in on-site scenarios. To detect DCP, we have developed the (Z)-2-(((6,8-dimethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinolin-3-yl) methylene) amino)-3 ',6 '-bis(eth-ylamino)-2 ',7 '-dimethylspiro[isoindoline-1,9 '-xanthen]-3-one (RDE) via a simple condensation reaction between the rhodamine hydrazide and 6,8-dimethyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinoline-3-carbaldehyde. The obtained RDE molecule was successfully characterized by analytical spectroscopic techniques and a single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Upon the injection of DCP into the RDE solution, the fluorescence signal at 598 nm increased by approximately 27-fold, indicating a strong fluorescence "turn-on" response. Interaction between DCP and RDE induced observable chromogenic changes, shifting from pale yellow to pink under daylight and from colorless to yellow fluorescent under UV light illumination. The rhodanine core within the probe RDE serves as a reactive recognition unit, facilitating rapid interaction with DCP and enabling fluorescence signal generation within 5 s, highlighting the sensor's ultrafast response kinetics. Portable platforms, including paper strip-based test kits and smartphone-assisted RGB colorimetric analysis, were employed to evaluate the practical applicability of our developed RDE sensor for rapid, on-site detection of DCP. These portable approaches enable visual identification and semi-quantitative analysis of DCP, significantly reducing instrumentation costs, accelerating response times, and simplifying operational procedures, thereby demonstrating the sensor's field-deployable utility and real-world applicability. Additionally, the developed receptor RDE was used to detect DCP in cancer cell imaging.

키워드