Chloride ions are central to many biological processes and measuring the concentration of chloride ions in biological fluids can help diagnose a number of diseases, including cystic fibrosis.
Scientists from the US have synthesised a squaraine rotaxane which can detect chloride ions via colorimetric naked eye detection and fluorescence. This is the first example of a ratiometric chloride sensor that emits in the deep red region.
Squaraine rotaxane shuttle as a ratiometric deep-red optical chloride sensor
Carleton G. Collins, Evan M. Peck, Patrick J. Kramer and Bradley D. Smith
Chem. Sci., 2013, DOI: 10.1039/C3SC50535A
