Interaction of 2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolyl derivative ligands with group 12 metal ions: coordination, structures and luminescence

The coordination chemistry of the group 12 metal ions with two 2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolyl derivative ligands 1,3,5-tris[2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolyl]benzene (tmb) and 2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolylbenzene (mb) has been investigated. The crystal structures of two coordination compounds (HgCl(2))(2)(tmb) and [Zn(mb)(2)(H(2)O)][ClO(4)](2) have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis which established the chelate bonding mode by the group 12 metal ions to the tmb or mb ligand. The luminescent response of tmb and mb toward group 12 metal ions, Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) has been examined by fluorescent titration experiments which established that the three group 12 metal ions have distinct luminescent response toward the tmb or mb ligand. The addition of the Hg(II) ion resulted in fluorescence quenching. In contrast, the addition of Zn(II) or Cd(II) led to a red shift and dramatic intensity increase of the emission spectrum of the ligand.     

Unusual metal ion selectivities of the highly preorganized tetradentrate ligand 1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxamide: a thermodynamic and fluorescence study

Some metal ion complexing properties of the ligand PDAM (1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxamide) in aqueous solution are reported. Using UV-visible spectroscopy to follow the intense π-π* transitions of PDAM as a function of metal ion concentration, log K(1) values in 0.1 M NaClO(4) and at 25 °C are, for Cu(II), 3.56(5); Ni(II), 3.06(5); Zn(II), 3.77(5); Co(II), 3.8(1); Mg(II), 0.1(1); Ca(II), 1.94(4); and Ba(II), 0.7(1). For more strongly bound metal ions, competition reactions between PDAM and EDTA (ethylenedinitrilo-tetraacetic acid) or tetren (1,4,7,10,13-pentaazatridecane), monitored following the UV spectrum of PDAM, gave the following log K(1) values in 0.1 M NaClO(4) and at 25 °C: Cd(II), 7.1(1); Pb(II), 5.82(5); In(III), 9.4(1); and Bi(III), 9.4(1). The very low log K(1)(PDAM) values for small metal ions such as Cu(II) or Zn(II) are unprecedented for a phen-based ligand (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), which is rationalized in terms of the low basicity of the N donors of the ligand (pK(a) = 0.6) and the fact that PDAM has a best-fit size corresponding to large metal ions of ionic radius ~1.0 ?. Large metal ions with ionic radius ≥1.0 ? show large increases in log K(1) relative to their phen complexes, which in turn produces unparalleled selectivities, such as a 3.5 log units greater log K(1)(PDAM) for Cd(II) than for Cu(II). PDAM shows strong fluorescence in aqueous solution, suggesting that its carboxamide groups do not produce a fluorescence-quenching photon-induced electron transfer (PET) effect. Only Ca(II) produces a weak CHEF (chelation enhanced fluorescence) effect with PDAM, while all other metal ions tested produce a decrease in fluorescence, a CHEQ (chelation enhanced quenching effect). The production of the CHEQ effect is rationalized in terms of the idea that coordination of metal ions to PDAM stabilizes a canonical form of the carboxamide groups that promotes a PET effect.     

Water‐soluble anionic conjugated polymers for metal ion sensing: Effect of interchain aggregation

Three sulfonato‐containing fluorene‐based anionic water‐soluble conjugated polymers, which are specially designed to link fluorene with alternating moieties such as bipyridine ( P1 ), pyridine ( P2 ), and benzene ( P3 ) have been synthesized via the Pd‐catalyzed Sonogashira‐coupling reaction, respectively. These polymers had good solubility in water and showed different responses for transition metal ions with different valence in aqueous environments: the fluorescence of bipyridine‐containing P1 can be completely quenched by addition of all transition metal ions selected and showed a good selectivity for Ni²⁺; the pyridine‐containing P2 had a little response for monovalent and divalent metal ions while showed good quenching with the addition of trivalent metal ions (with a special selectivity for Fe³⁺); P3 had responses only for the trivalent metal ions within the ionic concentration we studied. After investigation of the UV‐vis absorption spectra, PL emission spectra, DLS, and fluorescence lifetime of P1 – P3 in aqueous solution when adding transition metal ions, we found that the different spectrum responses of these polymers are attributed to the different coordination ability of the units linked with fluorene in the main chain. The energy or electron‐transfer reactions were the main reason for fluorescence quenching of P1 and P2 . On the other hand, interchain aggregation caused by trivalent metal ions lead to fluorescence quenching for P3 and also caused partly fluorescence quenching of P1 and P2 . These results revealed the origin of ionochromic effects of these polymers and suggested the potential application for these polymers as novel chemosensors with higher sensing sensitivity in aqueous environments. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 5057–5067, 2009     

Binding of H+ and Zn(II) ions with a new fluorescent macrocyclic phenanthrolinophane

The new macrocyclic ligand 1,9(4,7)-diphenanthroline-3,7,11,15-tetraazacyclohexadecaphane (L) was synthesized by a 2?:?2 reaction of 1,10-phenanthroline-4,7-dialdehyde with 1,3-diaminopropane, followed by reduction with NaBH(4). L contains two phenanthroline groups linked together by two 1,3-diaminopropane chains in such a way that the heteroaromatic nitrogen atoms point outside the ligand cavity. The ligand structure defines two pairs of identical compartments displaying a specific ability in the binding of protons (1,3-diaminopropane) and metal ions (phenanthroline). Protonation and Zn(II) coordination were studied by means of potentiometric and spectroscopic ((1)H NMR, UV-vis, fluorescence) techniques. Both protonation and Zn(II) coordination consistently affect the fluorescence emission properties of L, giving rise to enhancement or quenching of the emission, depending on the species involved. L becomes emissive upon protonation, but the formation of the highly protonated species, in particular the fully protonated [H(6)L](6+), quenches the emission. The mono- and dinuclear Zn(II) complexes of the unprotonated ligand are non-emissive, like free L, while Zn(II) binding to [HL](+) activates the emission. The most interesting aspect, however, is the chelation enhancement of quenching (CHEQ) observed upon Zn(II) binding to [H(2)L](2+) and [H(4)L](4+), being among the few examples of CHEQ effect observed for Zn(II) complexes. Hydrogen bonding between a metal coordinated water molecule and a phenanthroline group seems to be responsible for the CHEQ observed for [ZnH(2)L](4+).     

Protonation and coordination properties towards Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) of a phenanthroline-containing macrocycle with an ethylamino pendant arm

Protonation and Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) coordination with the ligand 5-aminoethyl-2,5,8-triaza-[9]-10,23-phenanthrolinophane (L2), which contains an aminoethyl pendant attached to a phenanthroline-containing macrocycle, have been investigated by means of potentiometric, 1H NMR and spectrofluorimetric titrations in aqueous solutions. The coordination properties of L2 are compared with those of the ligand 2,5,8-triaza-[9]-10,23-phenanthrolinophane (L1). Ligand protonation occurs on the aliphatic amine groups and does not involve directly the heteroaromatic nitrogens. The fluorescence emission properties of L2 are controlled by the protonation state of the benzylic nitrogens: when not protonated, their lone pairs are available for an electron transfer process to the excited phenanthroline, quenching the emission. As a consequence, the ligand is emissive only in the highly charged [H3L2]3+ and [H4L2]4+ species, where the benzylic nitrogens are protonated. Considering metal complexation, both [ML1]2+ and [ML2]2+ complexes (M = Zn(II) and Cd(II)) are not emissive, since the benzylic nitrogens are weakly involved in metal coordination, and, once again, they are available for quenching the fluorescence emission. Protonation of the L2 complexes to give [MHL2]3+ species, instead, leads to a recovery of the fluorescence emission. Complex protonation, in fact, occurs on the ethylamino group and gives a marked change of the coordination sphere of the metals, with a stronger involvement in metal coordination of the benzylic nitrogens; consequently, their lone pairs are not available for the process of emission quenching.     

The coordination chemistry of Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) complexes with 1,2,4-triazole derivatives

This perspective illustrates the coordination features of complexes constructed by 1,2,4-triazole derivatives and transition metal ions which belong to Group IIB, namely Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II), demonstrates their behaviors in thermal stabilities, gas or liquid adsorption, fluorescence and nonlinear optical properties and also discusses the relation between their properties and crystal structures. Various 1,2,4-triazole derivatives containing versatile donor sites for coordination can be obtained through introducing different substituent groups to C3, N4 and C5 positions, thus offering rich coordination modes. The structures of these complexes rely on their triazole ligands, as well as mixed ligands, metal ions, anions and synthetic conditions. Obviously, the diversity in structure induces the controllability of properties, since the properties are influenced by several factors, which is significant for the applications of potential multifunctional materials.     

Rhodamine-based probes for metal ion-induced chromo-/fluorogenic dual signaling and their selectivity towards Hg(II) ion

The new signaling probes 2-6, rhodamine-B derivatives of various receptors which contain different donor atoms for effective metal ion coordination, were synthesized and their absorption as well as fluorescence spectral responses were evaluated in the presence of various metal ions. All these probes along with the reference probe 1 have exhibited optimal metal ion-induced absorption and fluorescence enhancement with Hg(II) ion in the longer wavelength region (>500 nm) in MeCN, exploiting the spectral characteristics of metal ion-induced structural transformation of rhodamine. The selectivity and sensitivity towards Hg(II) ion were better pronounced in MeCN-H(2)O (1 : 1 v/v) medium, implying the role of the solvent molecules, water in particular, in the preferential Hg(II) coordination environment. Complexation of Hg(II) to 1-6 not only enhanced the absorption at ~560 nm, which turned the colourless solution into pink to facilitate a naked eye detection, but also amplified the fluorescence intensity simultaneously to offer high sensitivity of detection at lower concentration. The Hg(II)-induced photo-physical spectral responses of 1-6 in presence of other competitive metal ions rendered their high selectivity towards Hg(II). Further, their reversible dual channel signaling pattern under the action of counter anions, exploiting coordination tendency of anions towards Hg(II), which compete with probe-metal interaction, implied the reversibility in their Hg(II) coordination. The selectivity, sensitivity and reversibility, in principle, establishes the potential of these probes as chemosensors for Hg(II) ion detection.     

Synthesis and fluorescence properties of dysprosium‐coordinated with high‐Tg polyaryletherketones containing carboxyl side groups

A series of novel dysprosium coordination polymers were synthesized using new high‐T_g carboxyl‐containing polyaryletherketones (PEKs) as macromolecular ligands and a small molecule, 1,10‐phenanthroline, as co‐ligand. The FTIR, WAXD, and UV–Vis results indicated that the dysprosium ions were coordinated simultaneously with carboxyl group of PEKs and 1,10‐phenanthroline, and homogeneously distributed along the polymer backbone. These obtained dysprosium coordination polymers showed excellent film‐formation properties. Moreover, all the dysprosium coordination polymers could exhibit the intense characteristic emission of dysprosium ions under UV excitation. Meanwhile, the emission intensity increased with increasing dysprosium ion content, and no obvious fluorescence quenching happened at the Dy³⁺ ion content up to 10.71 wt%, which was attributed to the very rigid structure of PEK and synergistic coordination effect of PEK and 1,10‐phenanthroline. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

4-(4-羧基苯氧基)间苯二甲酸构筑的过渡金属配位聚合物: 合成、 晶体结构、 荧光传感与光催化

采用水热法合成了4个配位聚合物[Zn(Hcpoia)(2,2'-bpy)·H₂O]_n(1)和[M(Hcpoia)(phen)]_n·nH₂O[M=Zn(2), Mn(3), Co(4); H₃cpoia=4-(4-羧基苯氧基)间苯二甲酸; 2,2'-bpy=2,2'-联吡啶; phen=1,10-邻菲罗啉], 利用X射线单晶衍射分析确定了配合物的晶体结构. 配合物1为一维链状结构, 中心Zn ²⁺离子的配位环境为[ZnO₄N₂]扭曲的八面体构型, 配体Hcpoia ^2-以μ₁∶η ¹η ⁰和μ₁∶η ¹η ¹配位模式桥连相邻的Zn ²⁺离子. 配合物2和4的结构与配合物1类似, 是由配体Hcpoia ^2-以μ₁∶η ¹η ⁰和μ₁∶η ¹η ¹配位模式联接[MO₄N₂]结构单元而形成的一维链状结构. 配合物1, 2和4中均存在分子间氢键(O—H…O), 氢键的存在使一维链连接形成二维超分子结构. 配合物3为二维网状结构, Mn ²⁺离子的配位环境为[MnO₄N₂]扭曲的八面体构型, 配体Hcpoia ^2-以μ₂∶η ¹η ¹配位模式桥连相邻Mn ²⁺离子形成[Mn₂COO₂]结构单元, 该结构单元被Hcpoia ^2-连接形成二维结构. 在4个配合物中, 2,2'-bpy和phen配体均以端基的形式与金属离子螯合配位. 研究了水溶液中抗生素分子和Fe ³⁺离子对配合物1与荧光强度的影响, 实验结果表明, 甲硝唑、 Fe ³⁺离子对配合物1有荧光猝灭作用, 并进一步考察了甲硝唑浓度和Fe ³⁺离子浓度对配合物1荧光强度的影响. 基于荧光猝灭机理, 配合物1可以用作荧光传感器检测水溶液中的甲硝唑和Fe ³⁺离子. 研究了配合物4对罗丹明B(RhB)的催化降解性能, 发现在氙灯照射和H₂O₂存在条件下, 配合物4对RhB具有较好的光催化降解作用.     

Nitrogen heterocyclic carbon-rich materials: synthesis and spectroscopic properties of dehydropyridoannulene macrocycles

A new series of nitrogen heterocyclic dehydroannulenes 1-3 have been synthesized and their macrocyclic structures assigned using spectroscopic methods. The chiral and planar ground state conformations of 1 and 3, respectively, were determined by semiempirical theoretical calculations. All dehydropyridoannulenes and precursors possessing four aromatic rings functioned as fluorescent chromophores. A detailed spectroscopic investigation into the cation-binding properties of 3 in dilute solution revealed a particularly selective photoluminescence quenching sensory response for Pd(II) ions. Cycle 3, as well as 1 and 2, also exhibited reversible proton-triggered luminescence quenching behavior. At higher concentrations, 3 afforded a coordination polymer precipitate with Ag(I) ions. Cycles 1 and 2 and precursors 15, 23, and 29 also undergo thermochemical reactions that may potentially lead to carbon-rich polymers. The physicochemical properties of 1-3 suggest that dehydropyridoannulenes may serve as a particularly versatile new class of ligands for the creation of novel heteroatom-containing carbon-rich materials with many potential applications in supramolecular materials science and nanotechnology.     

Studies on Coordination Polymers Derived from 2,5-Bis (naphthalen-1-ylcarbamoyl)terephthalicacid

Novel coordination polymers of 2,5-bis(naphthalen-1-ylcarbamoyl)terephthalicacid were prepared by using various metal salts viz. Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) and characterized by physicochemical, thermogravimetric and spectroscopic techniques. Electronic spectral analysis and magnetic measurement studies were taken into account for the geometry of coordination polymers. Polymeric properties have also been carried out. Compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. Growth inhibition was compared with the standard drug ciprofloxacin. Antifungal activity was also carried out against different fungal strains. The antifungal drug, ketoconazole was used as a positive control.     

Bifunctional charge transfer operated fluorescent probes with acceptor and donor receptors. 2. Bifunctional cation coordination behavior of biphenyl-type sensor molecules incorporating 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine acceptors

Based on donor (D)-acceptor (A) biphenyl (b) type molecules, a family of fluorescent reporters with integrated acceptor receptors and noncoordinating and coordinating donor substituents of varying strength has been designed for ratiometric emission sensing and multimodal signaling of metal ions and protons. In part 2 of this series on such charge transfer (CT) operated mono- and bifunctional fluorescent devices, the cation coordination behavior of the sensor molecules bpb-R equipped with a proton- and cation-responsive 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine (bp) acceptor and either amino-type donor receptors (R = DMA, A15C5 = monoaza-15-crown-5) or nonbinding substituents (R = CF(3), H, OMe) is investigated employing the representative metal ions Na(I), Ca(II), Zn(II), Hg(II), and Cu(II) and steady-state and time-resolved fluorometry. The bpb-R molecules, the spectroscopic behavior and protonation behavior of which have been detailed in part 1 of this series, present rare examples for CT-operated bifunctional fluorescent probes that can undergo consecutive and/or simultaneous analyte recognition. The analyte-mediated change of the probes' intramolecular CT processes yields complexation site- and analyte-specific outputs, i.e., absorption and fluorescence modulations in energy, intensity, and lifetime. As revealed by the photophysical studies of the cation complexes of these fluoroionophores and the comparison to other neutral and charged D-A biphenyls, the spectroscopic properties of the acceptor chelates of bpb-R and A- and D-coordinated bpb-R are governed by CT control of an excited-state barrier toward formation of a forbidden charge transfer state, by the switching between analytically favorable anti-energy and common energy gap law type behavior, and by the electronic nature of the ligated metal ion. This accounts for the astonishingly high fluorescence quantum yields of the acceptor chelates of bpb-R equipped with weak or medium-sized donors and the red emission of D- and A-coordinated bpb-R observed for nonquenching metal ions.     

Perturbation of the PET process in fluorophore-spacer-receptor systems through structural modification: transition metal induced fluorescence enhancement and selectivity

Several fluorescent signaling systems are built in the format fluorophore-spacer-receptor with ethylenediamine or N,N-dimethylethylenediamine as the receptor, anthracene as the fluorophore, and a methylene group as the spacer. The receptors are derivatized with different electron-withdrawing groups such as 4-nitrobenzene, 4-nitro-2-pyridine, and 2,4-dinitrobenzene, to perturb the photoinduced intramolecular electron transfer (PET) process from the nitrogen lone-pair to the fluorophore. The photophysical properties of these supramolecular systems and their fluorescence responses toward a number of quenching transition metal ions are reported. It is shown that the PET is highly efficient in the absence of a metal ion. With a metal ion input, the fluorescence can be recovered to a different extent depending on the nature of the metal and on the overall architecture of the system as well. Despite the possibility of strong interaction between the fluorophore and the metal ion, significant fluorescence enhancement is observed with quenching of paramagnetic transition metal ions. The complex stability data show that the stability constants for the metal ions showing fluorescence enhancement are of the order of 10(4) M(-1). This study shows that structurally simple fluorescent signaling systems for quenching transition metal ions can be built by maximizing the PET. It is also shown here that simple structural modification can make these systems highly specific for particular transition metal ions for potential applications in several contemporary areas of research.     

Synthesis of multicomponent systems composed of one phthalocyanine and four terpyridine ligands

Two phthalocyanine-based multiple ligands were synthesized and characterized. Photochemical and electrochemical properties were measured for zinc(II) phthalocyanines covalently linked with four ruthenium(II) bisterpyridyl complexes. The absorption and electrochemical results are indicative of electronic interaction between two photoactive and redox-active components. Fluorescence spectroscopy of the five nuclear complexes provides evidence of an efficient photoinduced intramolecular energy transfer between the ruthenium-based metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) chromophores and the zinc(II) phthalocyanine core. The absorption and fluorescence spectra of the phthalocyanine-based multiple ligands change dramatically as a result of the coordination of metal ions with peripheral terpyridine ligands. This change of fluorescence intensity upon addition of metal ions can apply to an output signal for metal ion sensing. The direct attachment of metal ion receptors with a zinc phthalocyanine core enhanced efficiency of the energy- and electron-transfer reaction from the core to the metal complexes.     

Experimental and theoretical studies on ferromagnetically coupled metal complexes with imino nitroxides

Copper(II), zinc(II), and nickel(II) complexes with tridentate imino nitroxyl diradicals, [CuCl(bisimpy)(MeOH)](PF(6)) (1), [ZnCl(2)(bisimpy)] (2), and [NiCl(bisimpy)(H(2)O)(2)]Cl x 2H(2)O (3) (bisimpy = 2,6-bis(1'-oxyl-4',4',5',5'-tetramethyl-4',5'-dihydro-1'H-imidazol-2'-yl)pyridine), were prepared, and their magnetic properties were studied. In 1, the Cu(II) ion has a square pyramidal coordination geometry, of which the equatorial coordination sites are occupied by three nitrogen atoms from the bisimpy and a chloride ion. The coordination geometry of the Zn(II) ion in 2 can be described as a trigonal bipyramid, with two chloride ions and a bisimpy. In 3, the Ni(II) ion has a distorted octahedral coordination geometry, of which four coordination sites are coordinated by the bisimpy and chloride ion, and two water molecules occupy the remaining cis positions. Magnetic susceptibility and EPR measurements revealed that in 1 and 3 the Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions with imino nitroxyl diradicals were ferromagnetically coupled, with the coupling constants J (H = -2J(ij) summation operator S(i)S(j)) of +165(1) and 109(2) cm(-1), respectively, and the intraligand ferromagnetic interactions in 1-3 were very weak. DFT molecular orbital calculations were performed on the diradical ligand, 1, and 2 to study the spin density distribution before and after coordination to the metal ions.     

Versatile coordinative abilities of a new hybrid pteridine-thiosemicarbazone ligand: crystal structure, spectroscopic characterization, and luminescent properties

The synthesis and characterization of the first thiosemicarbazone-lumazine (TSCLMH=the thiosemicarbazone of 6-acetyl-1,3,7-trimethyllumazine) hybrid ligand is reported. The influence of the conformation of this compound on its energy and the atomic contribution to the molecular orbitals have been theoretically investigated. Ni(II), Cu(I), Zn(II), and Cd(II) complexes of this ligand have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, thermogravimetric studies, IR, 1H, 13C, and 15N NMR, and UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy, magnetic measurements, and X-ray crystallography. Four types of coordination modes for the ligand may be predicted: (a) double bidentate; (b) tetradentate; (c) tridentate; (d) bidentate. Structures of representative complexes of types a, b, and d have been determined by X-ray crystallography. In the [Cu(TSCLMH)]2(ClO4)2 complex, TSCLMH acts as a doubly bidentate bridging ligand forming a dimer with a Cu...Cu distance of 2.876 A. The geometry around the metal ion is trigonally distorted tetrahedral with a relatively long (four-atom) bridge between the metal centers instead of the shorter, mainly single atom, bridges present in other thiosemicarbazone derivatives complexes. In the [Cd(NO3)2(TSCLMH)(EtOH)] complex, the metal ion displays eight-coordinated geometry with the TSCLMH ligand acting in a tetradentate planar fashion and two nitrate anions, one monodentate and the other bidentate. The coordination polyhedron in [Cd(TSCLM)2(H2O)].MeOH.2H2O is a square pyramid with two monoanionic ligands acting as bidentate NS donors and a water molecule completing the coordination sphere. Fluorescence spectroscopic properties of TSCLMH have been studied as well as the changes in position and intensity of fluorescence bands caused by the complexation with different metal ions (Ni2+, Cu+, Zn2+, Cd2+).     

Sensing of Fe(III) ion via turn-on fluorescence by fluorescence probes derived from 1-naphthylamine

Fluorescence probes NA1 and NA2 derived from 1-naphthylamine (NA) as fluorophore have been synthesized and characterized by different spectroscopic studies. Identification behaviour of these probes towards various metal ions has been investigated. Both the fluorescent probes are selective as well as sensitive towards Fe(III) ion. Novel fluorescence probe NA2 afforded turn-on fluorescence behaviour for Fe(III) ion over other metal ions such as Ca(II), Mg(II), Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Fe(III), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Hg(II).     

New Coordination Polymers of 1,4-Bis(2″-Hydroxyphenylazomethine) Phenylene

Coordination polymers of 1,4-bis(2′-hydroxyphenylazomethine) phenylene have been prepared with the metal ions Ti(III), Cr(III), Fe(III), Mn(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II). They were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and electronic spectra. The metal contents in all polymers were found to be consistent with a 1:1 (metal:ligand) stoichiometry. The thermal behavior of these coordination polymers has been studied by thermogravimetric analysis in air up to 750°C, and the data showed that they are thermally stable up to 200°C. Physical properties such as the solubility and viscosity of the polymer complexes were also determined. Electrical conductivity measurements of the synthesized polychelated polymers showed that they are insulators except for the Ni(II) complex which shows a semiconducting character. Mössbauer data clearly establish the 3 + oxidation state for the iron complex polymer.     

Ratiometric displacement approach to Cu(II) sensing by fluorescence

A chelation-enhanced fluorescence method for the detection of paramagnetic copper(II) ions is developed. Two dyes with unequal metal ion binding constants are used, each giving strong fluorescence enhancement in the presence of a diamagnetic reporter ion such as cadmium(II). Upon presentation of copper(II) to a 1:1:1 mixture of the two dyes and cadmium(II), the Cd(II) is displaced from one dye to the other, resulting in quenching of one dye by the Cu(II) and enhancement of the weaker binding dye by complexation of the Cd(II). Although several criteria must be met, this method holds promise for analysis of a wide range of analytes.     

Use of a porphyrin platform and 3,4-HPO chelating units to synthesize ligands with N4 and O4 coordination sites

Piperazine and 1,2-diaminobenzene have been previously used as anchoring molecules to synthesize 3-hydroxy-4-pyridinone (3,4-HPO) tetradentate ligands affording ligands with different flexibility and coordination properties. In order to have a relatively rigid and hindered structure, a porphyrin platform was selected to anchor one or two 3,4-HPO chelating units. This platform provides an additional N₄ coordination sphere and also very interesting optical properties to the synthesized conjugates. Depending on the metal ion present in the porphyrin core, conjugates with different spectroscopic properties are obtained. EPR spectroscopy has been used to characterize the copper(II) metalloporphyrins and to monitor and identify the species formed upon addition of copper(II) to solutions of two porphyrin conjugates with one and two 3,4-HPO arms. The porphyrin conjugates having two 3,4-HPO units are ligands that provide two separate binding sites with N₄ and O₄ coordination spheres, which allow accommodation of two metal ion centers that may be distinguished by spectroscopic methods.