Sensing and activation of anionic species by polyamine-based metal complexes

•Metal complexes are optimal tools for selective fluorescence sensing of anions.•Metal complexes can be used to activate anions to reactions of biological interest.•The metal cation and the ligand play a cooperative role in anion binding.

The role of metal complexes with polyamine ligands in selective binding of anions and their possible use as optical chemosensors or biologically relevant hydrolytic agents for anionic substrates will be discussed on the basis of some study cases from the work of the authors, with particular emphasis on the cooperative action of metal cation and polyamine receptor in both the processes of interaction and sensing/activation.

Graphical abstractMetal complexes with polyamine ligands are optimal tools not only for selective binding, but also for specific sensing or activation in biochemically relevant reactions of anionic species, thanks to the particular role played by the metal and the organic ligand in both processes of binding/interaction and sensing/activation of anions.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide