Reversible anion binding in aqueous solution at a cationic heptacoordinate lanthanide centre: selective bicarbonate sensing by time-delayed luminescence

Abstract

Reversible displacement of up to two metal bound water molecules at a coordinately unsaturated, cationic lanthanide centre is signalled by increases in the luminescence intensity or lifetime of the emissive lanthanide: selective chelation of hydrogencarbonate is consistent with emission spectroscopic, ESMS and CPL measurements.