Small organic molecules as fluorescent sensors for the detection of highly toxic heavy metal cations in portable water

Heavy metal ions present in water bodies are of great concern for human health, aquatic life, and environmental sustainability. The heteroatoms present in small organic molecule-based sensors endow them with the ability to coordinate as ligands with different metal ions. Due to increasing interest in human health and water quality maintenance, the detection of heavy metal ions is of vital importance. The small organic molecules due to their facile synthesis and efficient chemosensing properties have been employed repeatedly for the detection of environmental pollutants. In this review article, we considered current advances in the field of fluorescence sensors developed for the sensing of heavy metals (having higher toxicity concerns) in water bodies. Further, the chemosensing preferences, mechanism, and detection limits are compared and discussed providing valuable perceptions for the future development of fluorescent sensors intended for heavy metal sensing. By highlighting the limitations and challenges that already synthesized probes face, this critical and comprehensive review will help and support the design of highly efficient, sensitive, and selective sensors for heavy metal detection in the future. The analysis of the recent advancements reveled the small organic molecules’ potential with efficient sensing performances to broaden the scope of practical applications.