Nanomolar determination of nitrofurans in water via excited-state inter-ligand proton transfer

Qualification and quantification of trace organic contaminants necessitates development of highly effi-cient sensing system, where excited-state inter-ligand proton transfer (ESILPT) provides a feasible pathway to construct efficient chemo-sensors. Herein, a strategically synthesized lanthanide complex, Eu(DBM)(3)(MeOH)(3) (briefly as Eu-DBM-MeOH; DBM = dibenzoylmethane), features two-step ESILPT processes, along with modification on molecular structure and energy band. As a result, Eu-DBM-MeOH exhibits excellent photophysical properties with characteristic luminescence of Eu3+ ion. Benefiting from these merits, the Eu-DBM-MeOH complex acts as ultra-sensitive chemo-sensor toward nanomolar-level nitrofuran antibiotics (nitrofurazone and nitrofurantoin) in water, by disrupting ESILPT processes. Combining the advantages on photophysical property and luminescent sensitivity, ESILPT-active com-pounds are expected to widen and deepen the research on complex-based luminophores, being potentially useful in trace detection and biological imaging. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The development of highly efficient sensing systems for trace organic contaminants requires the understanding and application of excited-state inter-ligand proton transfer (ESILPT) processes. Utilizing strategically synthesized lanthanide complexes with excellent photophysical properties, a feasible pathway to construct efficient chemo-sensors for ultra-sensitive detection of nitrofuran antibiotics has been demonstrated. This advancement is expected to broaden and deepen research in complex-based luminophores, potentially useful in trace detection and biological imaging.