Ferrocene-Based Sensors for Green Analytical Applications in Environmental, Biomedical, Industrial, and Food Monitoring.

Ferrocene derivatives represent a transformative class of molecular sensors, combining exceptional electrochemical stability with tunable redox characteristics that enable precise detection across diverse analytical challenges in environmental, medical, and industrial applications. This comprehensive review examines the expanding applications of ferrocene-based sensors (FBSs) across critical analytical domains. In environmental monitoring, these sensors achieve remarkable specificity for heavy metals and pesticides, with detection limits reaching nanomolar concentrations, thereby advancing pollution control strategies and ecosystem protection initiatives. In the medical field, FBSs detect biomarkers in biological fluids for early disease diagnosis, including the identification of enzymes and proteins crucial for understanding biological processes. They play a vital role in industrial monitoring by detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to maintain workplace safety and environmental compliance. Furthermore, FBSs are applied to food safety by detecting contaminants, thereby safeguarding public health. These applications highlight the potential of FBSs as innovative tools for advancing sustainability, green chemistry, and eco-friendly technologies.