Based on the phenazine derivatives for optical sensing: a review

Abstract: Phenazine, featuring the electron-deficient skeleton, lone pair electrons on nitrogen atoms, and other properties (such as tunable structures, excellent optical performance and proper binding abilities), can effectively sense target ions or molecules by non-covalent interactions, involving hydrogen bond, anion–π interactions, metal coordinated and other weak forces. These distinctive characteristics enable phenazine derivatives to be available in a variety of sensors, and that have already been confirmed to exhibit enormous successes in the field of sensing. More importantly, phenazine derivatives can be adequately applied in the biosensors. Therefore, the latest progress related to the application of phenazine derivatives in optical sensing is summarized. It is expected that the phenazine derivatives will receive a bright future in fabricating sensors and bio applications.