Colourimetric and fluorescent probes for the optical detection of palladium ions.

In recent years, the development of optical probes to analyse trace palladium ions (Pd(2+)) has attracted great attention because of the residual palladium released by catalytic converters or from various Pd-catalysed reactions. These residual palladium ions may cause potential health hazards. This review provides a brief introduction to the new methods used to determine trace amounts of Pd(2+), which then mainly focuses on the different reporting systems and unique mechanisms of the colourimetric and fluorescent probes used to detect Pd(2+), including Pd(2+) complex formation or Pd-catalysed reactions.