Recognition, mechanistic investigation and applications for the detection of biorelevant Cu2+/Fe2+/Fe3+ ions by ruthenium(ii)-polypyridyl based fluorescent sensors

Abstract

The present article focuses on fluorescent probes based on Ru(II)-polypyridyl fragments connected to different chelates, their significant roles in coordination chemistry and their applications in the selective recognition of biorelevant Cu²⁺ and Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ ions. A critical analysis of the detection of metal ions by both “turn-on” and “turn-off” emission, properties, mechanism and applications of these sensors is presented. Emphasis has also been laid on the efficiency, selectivity and specificity of these sensors towards biologically important Cu²⁺ and Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ ions.