Selective detection of metal ions, sulfites and glutathione with fluorescent pyrazolines: a review

Pollution by toxic metals is a worldwide health issue, yet analytical methods to monitor selectively metal ions in complex media are limited. Fluorescence sensing using pyrazolines has recently garnered research interest due to their selectivity, reliability and low detection limits. Here we review pyrazolines as fluorescent sensors with focus on pyrazoline synthesis and properties, cellular detection, and monitoring of metal ions, sulfites, multi-ionic mixtures, pH, and glutathione. Metals include zinc, copper, iron, nickel, mercury, aluminum, and calcium.