Ambident chemosensors based on benzo[h]chromen-2-one

Schiff bases derived from 7-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-oxobenzo[h]chromene-8-carbaldehyde in solution exist as equilibrium mixtures of benzoid and quinoid tautomers. The fraction of the quinoid tautomer increases with rise in solvent polarity. The Schiff base containing a benzo-15-crown-5 fragment on the nitrogen atom was shown to be a new ambident chemosensor capable of selectively binding transition metal cations via reaction at the o-hydroxyaldehyde imine fragment and alkaline-earth metals via host-guest interaction with the crown ether moiety. This compound exhibits a pronounced sensor activity toward Mg²⁺ and Ba²⁺ ions and is a selective naked-eye fluorescent chemosensor for Cu²⁺ and Co²⁺ ions.