In the design of novel fluorescent chemosensors, investigation of new sensing
mechanisms between recognition and signal reporting units is of increasing interest. In recent
years, a smart chemosensor probe containing a 1,8-naphthalimide moiety could be developed
as a fluorescent and colorimetric sensor for toxic anions, metal ions, biomolecules,
nitroaromatics, and acids and be further applied to monitor the relevant biological applications.
In this field, several problems and challenges still exist. This critical review is mainly
focused on various sensing mechanisms that have emerged in the past few years, such as
Photo-Induced Electron Transfer (PET), Intramolecular Charge Transfer (ICT), Fluorescence
Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), Excited-State Intramolecular Proton Transfer (ESIPT),
hydrogen bonding and displacement approach. The review concludes with some current and
future perspectives, including the use of the naphthalimides for sensing anions, metal ions,
biomolecules, nitroaromatics and acids and their potential uses in various fields.
Fluorescent chemosensors for metal ions based on 3-(2-benzoxazol-5-yl)alanine skeleton
