2-(3-Pyridyl)imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid based lanthanide luminescent anion sensor

A novel terbium 2-(3-pyridyl) imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid complex was incorporated into inorganic host (tetrethoxysilane, TEOS) and we developed a green luminescent hybrid material via a sol-gel reaction. The sensing abilities of this material were studied by addition of HSO4-, F-, Cl-, Br-, I- and CH3(C)OO(-) to aqueous suspension of the assayed bulk material. The titration of hydrogen sulfate (detection limit 10(-5) M) resulted in the reduction of the green luminescence, whereas fluoride ions (detection limit 10(-4) M) caused the luminescence changing from green to blue. We recognized that fluoride ion forms hydrogen bonding interactions with ligand. But hydrogen sulfate anion changed the green emission mainly because of its acidity. (C) 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.