Fluorescent molecules play an important role in synthetic chemistry due to
their vast applications from their applicability in sensors in the medicinal field. These
molecules cover a range of systems from monomeric to polymeric but more attention
has been given to the development of small molecules that are of high relevance. One
can ask about the factors which direct small molecules as a core centre of research in
sensor chemistry. Strong emission, better molar absorptivity, molar extinction
coefficient and small molecular weight are some of the important points that govern the
high applicability of fluorescent molecules in sensor chemistry. But first, it is important
to know what these properties are, and how these properties play a crucial role to
govern fluorescent molecules as a tool to utilize in various fields of sensor chemistry.
Fluorescent molecules have been extensively used in the field of physiology of
receptors, as sensors for metal ions (generally transition metals) and ROS (reactive
oxygen species), bio-imaging and pharmacology, etc.
Keywords: Auxochrome, BODIPY, Biological Importance/Function, Chromophore,
Energy Transfer Mechanism, Fluorescein, Fluorescent Probe,
Fluorescence, Quantum Yield, Reactive Oxygen species (ROS), Sensors.
