Foreword

The introduction of diverse indicators to study the molecular recognition (binding/sensing) in various supramolecular receptors opened up a new gateway to mimic nature-based specific and selective host-guest interactions. Taking a step forward from the indicator spacer receptor (ISR) approach involving covalent linkages between receptors and indicators via a spacer, the indicator displacement assay (IDA) offers an innovative and powerful sensing approach for various target analytes in the arena of host-guest chemistry. The intense research in the arena of supramolecular analytical chemistry has led to the development of numerous IDA-based sensors for real-world applications.

The authors have chosen the interesting theme of “Indicator Displacement Assays (IDAs): An Innovative Molecular Sensing Approach” and presented a collection of significant topics covering the design, development, and applications of various types of IDAs and sensory arrays operating through IDA. The corresponding author Dr. Rashid Ali and co-author Ishfaq Ahmad Rather have ample experience in the domain of supramolecular chemistry and have published high-impact research articles in reputed journals. Both authors put their efforts to update the knowledge gained in the field of supramolecular chemistry in general and IDA-based systems in particular. The authors have made an effort to cover a wide range of IDA-based sensors developed from diverse supramolecular receptors like pillarenes, calixarenes, calix[4]pyrroles, cucurbit[n]urils, cyclodextrins, tripodals, boronic acid derivatives, etc. This authored book is a single source of literature collection on the selected topic. In the future plan of action to design, synthesize, and apply IDA-based sensors for real applications, this book will surely help the scientists worldwide already working and also those who want to enter into this emerging arena.