Fluorescence signalling of the transition metal ions: Design strategy based on the choice of the fluorophore component

Transition metal ions are notorious for their fluorescence quenching abilities. In this paper, we discuss the design strategies for the development of efficient off-on fluorescence signalling systems for the transition metal ions. It is shown that even simple fluorophore-spacer-receptor systems can display excellent off-on fluorescence signalling towards the quenching metal ions when the fluorophore component is chosen judiciously.