This mini-review highlights the photophysical properties of fluorescent molecular logic gates responsive to acids and oxidants, particularly those developed in our laboratory the past few years. The review pays tribute to earlier developments that lay the foundation for this emerging class of molecules. The logic gates incorporate design concepts based on photoinduced electron transfer from the cross-fertilization of the fluorophore-spacer-receptor and fluorophore-spacer-electron-donor formats. The molecular logic gates explored in detail consist of anthracene and/or naphthalimide fluorophores, while the receptor and electron-donor are typically alkyl amines and ferrocene, respectively. This emerging class of molecule has numerous probable uses, most notably, in corrosion science, geochemistry, molecular cell biology and biomedical diagnostics.
Keywords: Anthracene; Ferrocene; Fluorescence; Internal charge transfer; Molecular logic gate; Naphthalimide; Photoinduced electron transfer; Pourbaix sensor; Redox fluorescent indicators.