A review on pyrene based chemosensors for the specific detection on d-transition metal ions and their various applications

Fluorometric/Colorimetric chemosensors have played a compelling role in the precise detection of metal ions in recent years owing to benefits such as specificity, economy, rapid reaction to analytes, ease of operation, naked-eye screening and low detection limit. In this study, we focus on pyrene fluorophore-derived fluorescent chemosensors, especially for detecting d-transition metal ions such as Cu2+, Hg2+, Fe2+/Fe3+, and Zn2+ ions, as well as their applications in environmental and biological samples. Pyrene is a very important polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon that acts as a fluorophore with distinct photophysical behavior in solution when compared to other well-known scaffolds. It can also be used to create chemosensors for specific detection of cations, anions, and other analytes that could be used in practical applications. We have outlined pyrene-based chemosensors, their conceivable mechanisms and applications. Energy transfer (ET), ligand to metal charge transfer (LMCT), aggregation induced emission (AIE), excimer and exciplex formation, excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT), photoinduced electron transfer (PET), intramolecular charge transfer (ICT), and chelation enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) are among the mechanisms used in these developed chemosensors. In terms of applications, pyrene-based fluorescent derivatives are used efficiently in the examination of live cells, actual water, and food samples in the chemical, biological, environmental, and medical domains. The synthesis and design of adaptable pyrene fluorophore-based derivatives for specific detection on d-transition metal ions, binding processes, detection limits, and diverse applications were specifically covered in recent studies 2018–2022. [Display omitted] •Pyrene based fluorescent chemosensors for of d-transition metal ions Cu2+, Hg2+, Fe2+/Fe3+ and Zn2+ ions have been briefly discussed with their suitable mechanisms.•The review is consolidated upon the published reports from 2018 to 2022.•Fluorescence mechanisms, LOD and studies on practical applications and bio-imaging are discussed in this review.