Sensing uranyl(VI) ions by coordination and energy transfer to a luminescent europium(III) complex

Abstract

[Abstract] The release of uranyl(VI) is a hazardous environmental issue, with limited ways to monitor accumulation in situ. Here, we present a method for the detection of uranyl(VI) ions through the utilization of a unique fluorescence energy transfer process to europium(III). Our system displays the first example of a “turn‐on” europium(III) emission process with a small, water‐soluble lanthanide complex triggered by uranyl(VI) ions.