Coordination Compounds (Chelates) in Analytical Chemistry: Solutions, Sorbents, and Nanoplatforms

Brief characterization is given for periods of the hundred-year history of application of coordination compounds (chelates) based on chromophoric organic reagents (ORs) for the spectrophotometric and luminescent determination of metal ions. Four periods can be distinguished: detection of the efficacy, synthesis of the first ORs for metal determination, and development of the theoretical fundamentals for their action; period of targeted synthesis of ORs, systematic research of the coordination of metal compounds to ORs, and extensive use in chemical analysis; period of modification of the ORs in solution and on the sorbent surface; and period of application of liquid and solid nanoplatforms and supramolecular processes for enhancing the properties of coordination compounds of metals with organic analytical reagents. The achievements and application areas for each period are given.