Abstract
Owing to the unique advantages of naked eye color detection in the sensing
of various important analytes, colorimetric indicator displacement assay (C-IDA) has
received its recognition as the principal evolutionary extension of IDA. This chapter,
besides dealing with all conceptual details of C-IDA, also offers basic criteria for the
development and classification of chromogenic sensing ensembles. A plethora of
examples in order to elucidate the C-IDA sensing mechanism for the detection of
anionic, cationic, and neutral analytes via prominent UV-vis spectral changes have
been revealed. Besides, the recognition of several biologically essential analytes viz.
phosphate and saccharides have also been discussed in detail through numerous
examples. The authors believe that this chapter on C-IDA will offer new dimensions to
the design and fabrication of IDA-based colorimetric sensors.