doi:10.1016/j.dyepig.2025.112641engMelendo, IreneCamacho-Aguayo, JavierFuertes, SaraMartín, AntonioMarcos, Susana deGalbán, JavierSicilia, VioletaSizing-up the aromatic system of a Cyclometalated n-Heterocyclic Carbene in a luminescent platinum-based sensor to xanthineART-2025-141562A cyclometalated N-heterocyclic carbene platinum(II) complex comprising a phenanthrenyl moiety has been prepared and used to synthesize neutral and cationic luminescent complexes containing different ancillary ligands: [Pt(PhenˆC*)(acac)] (5), [Pt(PhenˆC*)(CNXyl)2]PF6 (6) and [Pt(PhenˆC*)(PˆP)]PF6 (PˆP: 1,1-bis(diphenylphosphino)methane, dppm 7; 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, dppe, 8, 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)benzene, dppbz, 9). Structural characterization by NMR and single-crystal X-ray studies endorsed the proposed molecular structure for these complexes with the formation of a six-membered platinacycle. Photophysical and computational studies for 5-9 disclosed the ligand-centered nature of the triplet state, mainly governed by the extended aromatic system of the PhenˆC* ligand. Immobilized in ethyl cellulose (EC) films, compound 5 shows elevated quantum yield and long decay times in argon atmosphere and high sensitivity to molecular oxygen. Blends of 5 and EC (C5) were tested as a luminescent oxygen probe for the determination of xanthine (Xn), showing good photo stability and reversibility. The RSD is 0.9% (n=3) for 3·10-4 M and the detection limit achieves values of ∼ 2·10-5 M. This platinum-based sensor delivers better results than the ones obtained with [Ru(bpy)3]Cl2·6 H2O, a typical luminophore used in commercial oxygen sensors. To improve the feasibility of the Xn determination, the sensor was implemented in a smartphone adapted device to be used as a in-situ Xn control.2025http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/14812110.1016/j.dyepig.2025.112641http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/148121oai:zaguan.unizar.es:148121info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/E17-23Rinfo:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/E25-23Rinfo:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/PID2021-122869NB-I00info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/PID2022-139235OB-I00Dyes and Pigments 235 (2025), 112641 [36 pp.]by-nc-ndhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/es/info:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccess