Luminescent Lanthanide Probes for Inorganic and Organic Phosphates

Inorganic and organic phosphates-including orthophosphate, nucleotides, and DNA-are some of the most fundamental anions in cellular biology, regulating numerous processes of both medical and environmental significance. The characteristic long lifetimes of emitting lanthanides, including the brighter europium(III) and terbium(III), make them ideally suited for the development of molecular probes for the detection of phosphates directly in complex aqueous media. Moreover, given their high oxophilicity and the exquisite sensitivity of their quantum yields to their hydration number, those luminescent lanthanides are perfect for the detection of phosphates. Herein we discuss the principles that have guided the recent developments of molecular probes selective for inorganic or organic phosphates and how these lanthanide complexes facilitate the study of numerous biological processes.

Automated summary

Phosphates, including inorganic and organic phosphates, play significant roles in cellular biology, regulating various processes with medical and environmental importance. Lanthanide elements, such as europium(III) and terbium(III), with their long lifetimes, are ideal for developing molecular probes to directly detect phosphates in complex aqueous environments. These lanthanide complexes provide valuable tools for studying biological processes by selectively detecting inorganic or organic phosphates.