Lanthanide luminescent anion sensing: evidence of multiple anion recognition through hydrogen bonding and metal ion coordination

The delayed lanthanide luminescence of the terbium [Tb(III)] diaryl-urea complex 1 center dot Tb is significantly enhanced upon sensing of dihydrogenphosphate ( H2PO4-) in CH3CN, which occurs through multiple anion binding through hydrogen bonding interactions and potential metal ion coordination to Tb(III).