A Fluorescence Turn-On Mechanism to Detect High Explosives RDX and PETN

摘要

We have found that AcrH_2 is capable of selectively transferring a hydride ion equivalent to saturated nitramine and nitrate ester explosives as part of a photochemical reaction. Its photostable zinc analogue, 1, displays an 80- and 25-fold increase in 480 nm emission intensity upon reaction with RDX and PETN, respectively. This sole example of a direct fluorescence response to RDX or PETN will enable existing fluorescence methods to detect nonaromatic high explosives, and vapor detection applications are presently being developed.