Nerve Agent Sensor and Antidote in One Molecule

Significance

G-Series nerve agents (e.g. Sarin, Soman, and Tabun) are highly toxic and can be produced relatively easily. Therefore, it is important to develop efficient sensors and antidotes for these molecules. The authors combine both properties in a series of hydroxy oximes (1-4). Upon ­reaction with a nerve agent mimic (DCP or DFP), they form isoxazoles (5-8) resulting in an increase of fluorescence (up to 62-fold) and a shift of the fluorescence maximum (up to Δλ_max = -31 nm).