Nanoscale Supramolecular Probes for the Naked-Eye Detection of Illicit Drugs

Abstract

The identification of psychoactive substances, in particular of designer drugs, on the site of their discovery is crucial to contrast the diffusion of drugs of abuse. We report here the first example of a nanoscale colorimetric probe, based on the nanoconfinement of a tricyclic dye and the target analytes in the cavity of cucurbit[8]uril. The probe selectively responds to N-(2methoxybenzyl)phenethylamines, with a limit of detection of 3 μM. The sensing system can be deposited on paper, thus obtaining a colorimetric strip test capable of discriminating illegal drugs from other substances of common use.

Stimuli Response of Eu3+-Based Metallo-Supramolecular Polymers toward Pharmaceutical Amines

“… These LOD values are outperformed or were comparable to most previously reported supramolecular luminescence-based sensors for similar pharmaceutical substances (Table S1). ,− …”

Materiales supramoleculares: quimiosensores y otras aplicaciones prácticas

“…Este grupo de investigación encapsuló tionina para usar el ensayo por desplazamiento del indicador; dicho complejo al estar en contacto con fenetilamina cambia de color morado a azul, dicho cambio en la coloración proviene precisamente del desplazamiento de la cavidad del macrociclo del colorante tionina por la fenetilamina. Estos estudios muestran una forma sencilla y detectable a simple vista, en papel y en concentraciones micromolares del analito (Rosa-Gastaldo et al, 2020).…”

Selective detection of paraquat by a cucurbit[7]uril-based fluorescent probe

“…30,31) With this in mind, we note the widespread use of fluorescence sensing for the detection of various substances, where the attraction is the simplicity, operability, and sensitivity of the method. [32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44] Examples include Li et al, who have utilized a fluorescent probe constructed using Q [7] and PAL in order to detect ethambutol. 45) Also, Yang et al reported a fluorescent probe constructed using Q [7] and PAL for the detection of L-cystine.…”