Solvatochromic sensor array for the identification of common organic solvents

A cross-reactive colorimetric sensor array composed of solvatochromic dyes in semi-liquid matrices was used to successfully discriminate among eleven common solvents. The multidimensional array response is attributed to both chemical (i.e., analyte–dye interactions) and physical (i.e., spot blooming and refractive index alteration) changes in the sensor spot.