Towards the fluorogenic detection of peroxide explosives through host–guest chemistry

Abstract

Two dansyl-modified β-cyclodextrin derivatives (1 and 2) have been synthesized as host–guest sensory systems for the direct fluorescent detection of the peroxide explosives diacetone diperoxide (DADP) and triacetone triperoxide (TATP) in aqueous media. The sensing is based on the displacement of the dansyl moiety from the cavity of the cyclodextrin by the peroxide guest resulting in a decrease of the intensity of the fluorescence of the dye. Both systems showed similar fluorescent responses and were more sensitive towards TATP than DADP.

Keywords

• peroxide explosives
• fluorescent sensors
• cyclodextrins
• host–guest chemistry