Chemodosimeters and chemoreactands for sensing ferric ions

The role of iron (+2 and +3 oxidation states) in biological and medical applications and the environment is pivotal. Supramolecular analytical approaches to monitor and remediate iron, in particular, ferric ions (Fe3+) are an area of interest. The development of fluorescence chemosensors using supramolecular chemistry seems to have exponentially grown since the beginning of the twenty-first century. This article will focus on the chemodosimeter and chemoreactand approach which have been developed to target ferric ions. This review will focus on two broad areas; the first section will discuss the 'traditional' approach, i.e. small molecule recognition, in organic, mixed organic-aqueous and buffer-aqueous solutions. The second section will highlight the molecular sensors that have been either doped or attached to surfaces to prepare nano-chemical sensors.