biostudies-literatureLai XJiangxi University of Science and TechnologyNational Natural Science Foundation of China22053-22056https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9066643biostudies-literatureUnknown9(38)We herein report a cascade reaction-based switch-on fluorescence sensor for Ce(iv) ions. The mechanism is based on the ability of Ce(iv) ions to oxidize β-naphthol, which condenses with <i>o</i>-phenylenediamine to generate fluorescent benzo[<i>a</i>]phenazine. The sensor achieved a 200-fold fluorescence enhancement and was successfully applied to real sample detection.RSC advancesA cascade reaction-based switch-on fluorescent sensor for Ce(iv) ions in real samples.PMC906664321762018 and 51564021Lai XQiu GLi JWang RLiu JBfalseA cascade reaction-based switch-on fluorescent sensor for Ce(iv) ions in real samples.We herein report a cascade reaction-based switch-on fluorescence sensor for Ce(iv) ions. The mechanism is based on the ability of Ce(iv) ions to oxidize β-naphthol, which condenses with <i>o</i>-phenylenediamine to generate fluorescent benzo[<i>a</i>]phenazine. The sensor achieved a 200-fold fluorescence enhancement and was successfully applied to real sample detection.2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Jul2025-04-05T11:07:38.606Z2025-04-05T11:07:38.606ZS-EPMC90666433551885810.1039/c9ra03776d