An efficient turn-on fluorescent sensor for PO4(3-) has been developed by rationally designing an in situ-generated iron(iii) complex with a 1,8-naphthalene-based Schiff base unit. The sensor exhibits high sensitivity and selectivity in both solution and solid-state film, even in the presence of other phosphate anions such as HPO4(2-) and H2PO4(-).

A pillared-layer MOFs as luminescent probes has been covered which can be used to detect metal ions and small molecules. The results exhibit that its luminescent intensity is highly sensitive to Ni2+ and Cd2+ ions and acetone molecules.