pFe(3+) determination of multidentate ligands by a fluorescence assay.

The fluorescence intensity of the iron-CP691 complex in the presence of a competing multidentate ligand is associated with pFe(3+) of the competing ligand and the relative fluorescence has a linear correlation with the pFe(3+) values. A correlation was also found to exist between the relative fluorescence and the ratio of a competing ligand to the probe CP691. Based on this assay, the pFe(3+) value of a range of hexadentate ligands, dendrimers and polymers can be determined when they fall in the range 24.5-30.5. Only small quantities of chelators are required for this assay.