Anion to nerve agent simulant detection by relay recognition has been designed and realized for the first time with sequence specificity (F− → DCNP) via a fluorescence “off–on–on” mechanism. The discrimination of DCNP and DCP via a CIFE (cyclization induced fluorescence enhancement) mechanism has also been demonstrated here. Test strips based on the sensors with F− and DCNP are fabricated, which can act as convenient and efficient nerve agent and F− test kits. The origin of the sequence specificity of different fluorescence recognition was revealed through single X-ray crystal and NMR analysis.
