A highly selective fluorescent probe for pyrophosphate detection in aqueous solutions.

A novel and simple fluorescence enhancement method is introduced for selective pyrophosphate (PPi) sensing in an aqueous solution. The method is based on a 1:1 metal complex formation between tris(8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulphonate) thulium(III) [Tm(QS)(3)] and PPi ion. The linear response covers a concentration range of 1.6 × 10(-7) -1.0 × 10(-5)  mol/L PPi and the detection limit is 2.3 × 10(-8)  mol/L. The association constant of Tm(QS)(3) -PPi complex was calculated as 2.6 × 10(5)  mol/L. Tm(QS)(3) shows a selective and sensitive fluorescence enhancement toward PPi ion in comparison with I(3)(-), NO(3)(-), CN(-), CO(3)(2-), Br(-), Cl(-), F(-), H(2) PO(4) (-) and SO(4)(2-), which is attributed to higher stability of the inorganic complex between pyrophosphate ion and Tm(QS)(3).