Dual fluorescence and electrochemical detection of the organophosphorus pesticides--ethion, malathion and fenthion.

Organophosphorus (OP) based pesticides are known powerful inhibitors of cholinesterases, thus the toxicity of this class of compounds causes serious environmental and human health concerns. We report that benzodipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (BDPPZ) and 3,6-dimethylbenzodipyrido-[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (DM-BDPPZ) provide independent fluorescent and electrochemical signal transductions in the presence of the organophosphorus (OP) pesticides; fenthion, malathion and ethion. The presence of the methyl groups at the 3 and 6 positions in DM-BDPPZ was found to significantly influence the sensor performance.

Fluorescent chemosensors for toxic organophosphorus pesticides: a review.

Many organophosphorus (OP) based compounds are highly toxic and powerful inhibitors of cholinesterases that generate serious environmental and human health concerns. Organothiophosphates with a thiophosphoryl (P=S) functional group constitute a broad class of these widely used pesticides. They are related to the more reactive phosphoryl (P=O) organophosphates, which include very lethal nerve agents and chemical warfare agents, such as, VX, Soman and Sarin.