Lanthanide nucleotide coordination polymers for sensing applications

Nanoscale lanthanide coordination polymers have attracted increasing attention due to their narrow emission peaks which yield high colour purity, large Stokes shifts, and long luminescence lifetimes, both in the visible and near-infrared spectral region. They also exhibit low toxicity when they are coordinated. Nucleotides are biocompatible, water-soluble and possess a negatively charged phosphate backbone, which makes them ideal candidates for lanthanide coordination. This review focuses on recent developments within lanthanide nucleotide coordination polymer (LNCP) research. Because of their specific luminescence properties, these coordination polymers can be used as sensors for metal ions, biologically relevant anions, pH, water phosphate, reactive oxygen species, enzymes, antibiotics and various biomolecules. • Nucleotides are ideal candidates for coordination with lanthanide ions. • Lanthanide nucleotides possess some interesting luminescence properties making them ideal candidates for sensing applications. • They are used for the sensing of metals, anions, pH, water, phosphate, reactive oxygen species, enzymes, antibiotics, Anthrax and picric acid. • The water solubility and compatibility are valuable properties for sensing of biological samples.