A fluorescent probe based on benzothiazole and benzoindole for detecting hydrazine in various applications

Abstract

Hydrazine (N₂H₄) has a wide range of applications in the chemical industry. However, the widespread use and improper handling of N₂H₄ pose potential risks to human health and environmental safety because of its high toxicity. Thus, it is imperative to establish simple, reliable, and rapid analysis techniques for monitoring N₂H₄ levels in the environment. Herein, a novel organic small-molecule fluorescent probe was prepared through incorporating benzothiazole and benzoindole moieties. During N₂H₄ detection, this probe exhibited remarkable advantages, including facile synthesis, a short reaction time, high selectivity and sensitivity, and easy observation of the fluorescence signal in a variety of matrices, including solution, soil, plant tissue, and food samples. Additionally, this probe could be conveniently fabricated into test strips and detection swabs, enabling integration with smartphone apps such as color recognition software. This innovative combination established an efficient and user-friendly visualization platform that offers substantial potential for N₂H₄ detection across diverse fields, including environmental analysis and food testing. These findings significantly broaden the application range of N₂H₄ probes.