Role of sulfur based compounds in monitoring of various analytes through spectroscopical investigations

[Display omitted] •Synthesis and luminescent properties of sulfur residing nonaromatic compounds.•Possible luminescence mechanisms underpinning the different categories of clusteroluminogens are analyzed individually.•Comprehensive theory of the through-space conjugation (TSC) for these chromophores has been discussed.•Based on the CTE effect and TSC theory, various applications have been envisioned. The π-Conjugated chromophores have been analyzed since last few decades and their photpohysical properties have been explained with the help of theoretical models, in the meanwhile, there are some materials which cannot be explained using such models. For instance, few materials containing C-N, C-C, C-O bonds do not fall under the category of non-conjugated structures. However, visible emission is observed for respective aggregates. This is known as clusterization-triggered emission (CTE) and the materials which exhibit this attribute are called clusteroluminogens. Here, we present a brief account of clusteroluminogens which have been develpoed in the last decade or so. Such materials are categorized into three classes namely small molecules, polymers, and metal clusters. The mechanisms behind the formation of such materials are investigated on individual basis. At the end, through-space conjugation theory (TSC) has been explained for such chromophores. Based on aforesaid concepts of TSC and CTE, different applications areas have been described. It is considered to open new horizons for theoretical studies as well as for vast areas of apllication of such advanced materials.