New fluorescent chemosensors for metal ions in solution

After a brief introduction on the main transduction mechanisms for metal ion detection by fluorescence, this paper reviews ligand molecules containing fluorophores synthesized and employed in metal ions sensing in solution in the last few years. With the aim of making more readable the paper we have organized it by dividing the subject first for type of fluorophore, then type of metal ion. Because of many acronyms a glossary has been inserted. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.