A simple cerium-based chemosensor for selective fluorescence phosphate detection in aqueous media

Phosphate ions are key chemicals involved in crucial processes, such as, in medicine or agriculture. However, their sensing with a chemosensor is arduous due to their chemical properties. In the past, chemists addressed this problem by synthesizing complex chemical architectures as receptors, but with mixed results. Here, we develop a simple metal extrusion based fluorescent indicator displacement assay (MEFID) for phosphate detection, relying solely on commercially available chemicals. Cerium ammonium nitrate (CAN) is combined with a fluorophore to probe phosphate ions in aqueous media. We show that the inorganic complex detects phosphate ions in low micromolar concentrations, either spectrophotometrically, or with the naked-eye, with high selectivity over other anions. To our knowledge, this is the first description of a simple, sensitive and selective metal extrusion cerium(IV)-based chemosensor for the fluorescent selective naked-eye detection of phosphate in aqueous media. It even proved to be useful for phosphate detection in Coca-Cola® and in real environmental samples.