A Captivating Review on Organic Chemosensors with Imidazole Core for Cation and Anion Detection

Research on detecting environmental pollutants and contaminants has become critical, chemosensors playing a vital role in identifying various chemicals and metal ions. Imidazole, an organic heterocyclic compound with unusual structural features has been identified as one of the most promising candidates for the construction of chemosensors because of its flexibility and functional attributes. However, Imidazole‐based chemosensors have recently caught attention for sensing metal ions and other analytes, specifically through colorimetric and fluorescent‐based sensing mechanisms. They are frequently used in various applications, ranging from environmental monitoring to clinical diagnosis. They serve as the foundation for metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs), complexes, and probes based on polymer, which broaden their use in sensing technologies. Colorimetric sensors, which exhibit color change, provide an attractive and quick device for environmental sample analysis, whereas fluorometric sensors allow better quantification of target ions. This review aims to outline the developments that have taken place in imidazole‐based chemosensors, focusing on their mechanisms of action, sensing applications for metal ions, and capacity to mitigate environmental or health‐related issues. This review emphasizes the focus on imidazole whenever qualitative and quantitative analysis is discussed due to its rising importance. This review summarizes recent findings on imidazole‐based chemosensors from 2000 to 2025.