Click functionalized poly(p-phenylene ethynylene)s as highly selective and sensitive fluorescence turn-on chemosensors for Zn2+ and Cd2+ ions.

Side-chain functionalized poly(p-phenylene ethynylene)s (PPEs) carrying triazole linkers, amino donors/receptors, and solubilizing groups have been found to yield remarkably high efficiency of fluorescence turn-on sensing for Zn(2+) and Cd(2+) ions in THF, and for H(+) and Cd(2+) ions in water.