Bonding-induced emission of silyl-protected copper nanoclusters for luminescence turn-on detection of trace water in organic solvents.

A novel bonding-induced emission (BIE) phenomenon of silyl-protected copper nanoclusters was observed and identified, and a new detection method for trace water in organic solvents was established based on a water-triggered BIE process. This assay employs simple and commercially available reagents and is capable of determining trace water at the ppm level.