Off–on–off fluorescent chemosensor for pH measurement with a terbium(iii) complex based on a tripodal salicylic-acid derivative

Abstract

New Tb(iii) and Eu(iii) complexes have been synthesized as potential pH probes using a tripodal substituted-salicylic ligand (H3). Among them, this carboxylate ligand is found to be a good sensitizer for Tb(iii) emission owing to the superior match of the triplet energy level of the ligand with the (5)D4 emitting level of Tb(iii). The resulting · complex exhibited high sensitivity in the physiological pH range with significant "off-on-off" fluorescence changes in aqueous solution. Furthermore, this unique rare-earth complex has been successfully used to monitor pH variations within HeLa cells and with filter papers.