Molecular logic operations based on optical detection of sulfur mustard simulant using pyridine appended Mg–porphyrazine complex.

Selective detection of sulfur mustard simulant, 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide ( CEES ) is performed using specifically designed pyridine appended Mg–porphyrazine complex ( 1 ). Interaction of CEES with pyridine units of 1 leads to perturbation/reduction in absorbance of the Q-band of 1 and the process is, thus, monitored using UV–vis spectroscopic method. Interestingly, treating the CEES- 1 solution with KMnO 4 solution results in reappearance of Q-band of 1 and allows reuse of 1 by simple filtration. The alkylating ability of CEES and KMnO 4 oxidation of CEES- 1 appears to be playing an important role in the detection/degradation process, thereby serving the dual purpose. The chemical sensing is then used as a platform for generating different input-based combinatorial and sequential molecular logic gate(s) allowing facile information processing and as an information security system in the form of a keypad lock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]