Perylene diimide-based chemosensors emerging in recent years: From design to sensing

Abstract Perylene diimide (PDI) enjoyed the status of most researched member of the rylene diimide family since its inception in 1913, initially as colorants, lacquers and then as chromofluorophore. It consists of two naphthalene units fused at -peri positions and two carboxylic imide rings (5-membered) fused at each terminal naphthalene via -peri positions. The intrinsic unique properties of PDIs include strong electron affinity, excellent chemical, thermal and optical stability, high molar absorptivity, quantum yield and versatility in functionalization and fusion at different positions. PDI-based chemosensors are potentailly effective in binding metal ions, anions and biological relevant species using non-covalent interactions in organic-water mixed medium. In this review, >100 examples of PDI-based chemosensors have been comprehensively traced out with focus on design, optical properties and sensing mechanism along with their applications. This comprehensive overview may ease the development of PDI-based chemosensor for broad and exciting applications in the future.