Chromophores for the detection of volatile organic compounds

1. A sensor device for detecting a target substance, the device comprising a detection component of formula

2. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a support structure for retaining the detection component thereon, wherein the support structure comprises a surface and the detection component comprises a thin film on the surface of the support structure.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the target substance comprises a volatile organic compound.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the target substance comprises at least one of: acetaldehyde, ethylene oxide, di-(2-Ethylhexyl)phthalate, formaldehyde, n-hexane, acrylonitrile, aniline, benzene, 2-methoxyethanol acetate, chloroethane, methyl ethyl ketone, chloroform, methyl isobutyl ketone, cumene, methyl methacrylate, cyclohexane, 4,4-methylene bis 2,4 aniline, 1,2-dibromoethane, phenylisocyanate, 1,2-dichloroethane, styrene, dichloromethane, 1,1,1,2-tetrachloroethane, tetrachloromethane, tetrachloroethylene, 2-ethoxyethanol, toluene, 2-ethoxyethanol acetate, tetrahydrofuran, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, ethyl acetate, trichloroethylene, ethyl butyl ketone, vinyl chloride monomer, ethylbenzene, and xylenes.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the detection component has an attribute having a first manifestation in the absence of the target substance and a second manifestation in the presence of the target substance.

6. The device of claim 5 , wherein the attribute is reversibly interchangeable between the first manifestation and the second manifestation upon contact with and separation from the target substance.

7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the attribute is color.

8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the attribute is fluorescent color visible with ultra-violet illumination.

9. A device for detecting the presence or absence of volatile organic compounds, the device comprising

a chromophore of formula: