Hydroxy Oximes as Organophosphorus Nerve Agent Sensors

Find and destroy: A series of oximes were constructed to simultaneously detect and detoxify organophosphorus-based nerve agents. They function as optical sensors employing the oxime reactivity and incorporating a β-hydroxyl group to undergo an intramolecular cyclization from the intermediate oxime–organophosphorus species. The generated isoxazole produces an enhanced fluorescent signal that reports on the presence and destruction of the nerve agent.