Exploiting A New Europium(Iii) Coordination Polymer Based On A Zwitterionic Ligand As A Fluorescent Probe For Uranyl Cations

Two new isostructural lanthanide(III) coordination polymers based on an unreported zwitterionic ligand, namely, [Ln(ox)(L)](n)(ox = oxalate, HL =N,N'-dipropionic acid imidazolium, Ln = Eu or La), are synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. The fluorescence properties of the europium coordination polymer are investigated. In addition, the europium-based coordination polymer is utilized for specific sensing of UO(2)(2+)ions, showing high selectivity, a fast response time (8 min) and high sensitivity with noticeable quenching (Ksv = 6.19 x 10(4) M-1) and limit of detection of 1.95 mu M.