Selective and sensitive detection of picric acid in aqueous, sol-gel and solid support media by Ln(III) probes

Phenanthroline based Ln(III) probes were designed and synthesized, which exhibited highly selective sensing ability towards picric acid (PA) in aqueous, sol-gel and solid medium. For real time detection of PA, whatman paper strips were used as a simple, portable, sensitive, fast and low cost tool.