Novel fluorescent probe for the selective detection of organophosphorous nerve agents through a cascade reaction from oxime to nitrile via isoxazole

A novel fluorescent probe based on fluoresceinyloxime was developed for detection of such organophosphorous compounds as nerve agents. The probe underwent an abnormal cascade reaction from oxime to nitrile via isoxazole in aqueous solvent and displayed a highly selective fluorescence response to diethylchlorophosphate (DCP) with the detection limit of 10 nM DCP in HEPES buffer.