Exploiting a new europium(III) coordination polymer based on a zwitterionic ligand as a fluorescent probe for uranyl cations

Two new isostructural lanthanide(III) coordination polymers based on an unreported zwitterionic ligand, namely, [Ln(ox)(L)](n)(ox = oxalate, HL =N,N'-dipropionic acid imidazolium, Ln = Eu or La), are synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. The fluorescence properties of the europium coordination polymer are investigated. In addition, the europium-based coordination polymer is utilized for specific sensing of UO(2)(2+)ions, showing high selectivity, a fast response time (8 min) and high sensitivity with noticeable quenching (Ksv = 6.19 x 10(4) M-1) and limit of detection of 1.95 mu M.

Automated summary

Two new isostructural lanthanide(III) coordination polymers based on an unreported zwitterionic ligand, [Ln(ox)(L)](n)(ox = oxalate, HL =N,N'-dipropionic acid imidazolium, Ln = Eu or La), were synthesized and characterized. The fluorescence properties of the europium coordination polymer were investigated, and it was found to be suitable for specific sensing of UO(2)(2+) ions with high selectivity, fast response time, and high sensitivity.