A simple organic multi-analyte fluorescent prober: One molecule realizes the detection to DNT, TATP and Sarin substitute gas

The detections of explosives and chemical warfare agents (CWAs) are always important for global security. In this study, a simple donor (D)- acceptor (A) type small organic fluorescent triazole-based molecule ( T1 ) is reported. T1 is composed of a central 4 H -1, 2, 4-triazole (TAZ) “core” and three external triphenylamine (TPA) groups. Its spin-coating films can realize the multi-analyte fluorescent prober to detect DNT (2, 4-dinitrotoluene), hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 , the substitute for triacetone triperoxide (TATP)) and diethylchlorophosphate (DCP, the substitute for Sarin) vapors. Additionally, the combination of the triple sensing mechanism in the different channels affords three distinct sets of output-signal responses, these three hazardous compounds could be identified rapidly with high sensitivity and selectivity: fluorescence turn-off response to DNT, fluorescence turn-on response to H 2 O 2 and fluorometric-colorimetric dual-channel response to DCP. T1 fluorescent probe is highly advantageous for concurrently monitoring various hazardous target substances and simultaneously possessing the desirable sensitivity and selectivity, excellent reusability. Hereby, this study provides a prototype method to build novel multifunctional fluorescent probes to explosives and CWAs. • A small organic molecule (T1) as multifunctional fluorescent probe to detect multiple hazardous analytes. • T1 probe shows rapid response, excellent reusability, high sensitivity and selectivity to DNT, TATP and Sarin substitute gas. • T1 films show fluorescence turn-off response to DNT vapor. • T1 films exhibit fluorescence turn-on response to H 2 O 2 vapor. • T1 films display colorimetric-fluorometric dual channel response to DCP vapor.