Comment on “Michael Addition Based Chemodosimeter for Serum Creatinine Detection Using (E)-3-(Pyren-2-yl)-1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one Chalcone”

Recently, a chalcone based fluorescence sensor has been developed for the detection of creatinine by Sundaram et al. (ACS Sens. 2018, 3, 763–771). Though the efficiency of the sensor under clinical condition is appreciated, the proposed mechanism and the interpretations of the authors raise serious concerns. In the present work, DFT calculations were performed on the system. Based on the calculations and the spectral data reported earlier it is established that the Michael addition is not a photophsyical interaction as proposed by Sundaram et al.; instead, it is a ground state reaction. Several other misinterpretations of the authors including that in the ICT mechanism are properly inferred. Since the formula and the procedure followed for the calculation of the fluorescence quantum yield in ACS Sens. 2018, 3, 763–771 is not appropriate, the correct procedure is briefed with the proper formula.