The degree of ease of use and the readily observable signals associated with the detection process are critical factors in determining the success of a detection strategy. Keeping this viewpoint in mind, we have reported the detection of phosgene, achieved by modulating the photophysical characteristics of a molecular probe, Xanth-NH2. The probe is non-emissive in nature, but the presence of phosgene facilitates the probe's radiative decay, which enables phosgene detection via fluorescence turn-on change. The fluorescence changes vary linearly with phosgene concentration, contributing to a nanomolar level detection limit for phosgene. Additionally, under the controlled set of conditions, the half-time for the reaction of Xanth-NH2 with phosgene is 68 seconds. To demonstrate the potential application of Xanth-NH2, probe-loaded paper strips or silica gel were developed as an economic tool for the vapor or solution phase detection of phosgene. Furthermore, phosgene detection has been accomplished with a portable UV light source and a smartphone in order to track minute changes during the detection event.

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