Research progresses on fluorescent probes for water detection in organic solvents

In recent years, frequent factory and laboratory explosions caused by trace water in organic solvents have aroused great social concern, which makes the development of a convenient method for water content assessment in organic solvents is of urgent need. As an emerging analytic tool, organic fluorescent probes offer high sensitivity, good selectivity, low toxicity, real-time visual monitoring and are commonly used in the fields of chemical engineering, food, environment, and so on. In this review, water recognition mechanisms of water induction type fluorescent probes, water induced metal complex dissociation type fluorescent probes, water-involved chemical reaction type fluorescent probes, water induced to form hydrogen bond type fluorescent probes, water induced photo-induced electron transfer turn off type fluorescent probes, water induced intramolecular charge transfer/twisted intramolecular charge transfer type fluorescent probes and water induced aggregation induced emission enhancement type fluorescent probes developed in recent five years were summarized. The differences in sensitivity, detection limits, properties and application ranges of fluorescent probes with different mechanisms were then analyzed and compared, followed by discussions on the advantages, disadvantages and applications of fluorescence probes with different mechanisms for water content measurement in organic solvents. Finally, the future development directions of fluorescence probe for water detection in organic solvents was prospected. © 2022, Editorial Office of FINE CHEMICALS. All right reserved.