Development of a fluorescent sensor for illicit date rape drug GHB

Chem Commun (Camb). 2014 Mar 18;50(22):2904-6. doi: 10.1039/c3cc49603a. Epub 2014 Feb 4.

Abstract

The first fluorescent sensor (GHB Orange) for date rape drug GHB was developed. It exhibits the fluorescence quenching property for GHB and allows its detection in various drinks. The interaction mechanism was elucidated as intramolecular charge transfer induced by a hydrogen bond. This discovery will help in solving the drug facilitated sexual assault problems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Beverages / analysis*
  • Central Nervous System Depressants / analysis*
  • Central Nervous System Depressants / chemistry
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Hydroxybutyrates / analysis*
  • Hydroxybutyrates / chemistry
  • Illicit Drugs / analysis*
  • Illicit Drugs / chemistry
  • Rape

Substances

  • Central Nervous System Depressants
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Hydroxybutyrates
  • Illicit Drugs
  • 4-hydroxybutyric acid