Resonance light scattering detection of uranium based on its reaction with a Schiff base containing tetradentate ligand and phosphate groups to form supramolecular polymer

Abstract

To develop a new resonance light scattering (RLS) method for uranium(VI) detection, we have studied the reaction of uranyl with N,N′-bis(pyridoxal phosphate)-o-phenylenediamine (BPPP) that is a Schiff base containing a tetradentate ligand and two phosphate groups. BPPP can chelate uranyl and then self-assemble to form a supramolecular polymer, resulting in a production of strong RLS signal. The RLS method was established based on this fact. The linear range is 0.5–25 ng mL−1 with a detection limit of 0.2 ng mL−1. The method is simple and has been successfully applied to determine uranium(VI) in environmental water samples.