A lab-on-a-molecule for anions in aqueous solution: using Kolbe electrolysis and radical methylation at iridium for sensing

Iridium complex [(pq)(2)IrCl](2) (1) is established as a quantitatively operating lab-on-a-molecule in aqueous media at physiological pH. Acting as a chemodosimeter, 1 uses two channels, PL and ECL, for the detection of cyanide and acetate, with the former undergoing nucleophilic attack and the latter Kolbe electrolysis and radical-metal combination.