Colorimetric and fluorescent sensors for detection of nerve agents and organophosphorus pesticides

Organophosphorus compounds are toxic organic phosphorus molecules including nerve agents and pesticides. Organophosphorus pesticides play a significant role in improving large-scale modern agriculture. Nerve agents are neurotoxic chemicals. Therefore, there is a demand for assays to measure organophosphorus analogs in a rapid, sensitive, and convenient way. Here, colorimetric and fluorescence sensors can be an effective approach for sensing these substances. They have been extensively explored due to their portability and high sensitivity. This review summarizes recent development in colorimetric and fluorescent materials including small organic fluorophores, nanomaterials, complexes, and polymers since 2015. We describe advances in sensing a variety of organophosphorus analogs. We also discuss recent challenges and design strategies in developing colorimetric and fluorescent assays with high performance and specific sensing.