A water-soluble 'turn-on' fluorometric sensor for Zn2+ and Cd2+ detection, quantification, and discrimination in
Yelyzaveta V Antsybora1, Cordelia Y Adams1, Amelia Golus2
1Ontario Tech University (University of Ontario Institute of Technology), 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON L1G 0C5, Canada. olena.zenkina@ontariotechu.ca.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|October 13, 2026
Abstract:
A 4'-hydrazineyl-2,2':6',2″-terpyridine-based fluorescent probe achieves "turn-on" detection of Zn2+ and Cd2+ in water at picomolar concentrations, far below regulatory limits. Combined experimental and computational studies reveal the nature of the metal complexes, while successful analysis of Lake Ontario freshwater samples and paper-based test strips demonstrate its potential for practical environmental monitoring.
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