Studying the photophysical properties of a polymerizable 1,8‐naphthalimide dye and its copolymer with styrene as potential fluorescent sensors for metal cations

The photophysical characteristics of a polymerizable 1,8‐naphthalimide dye and its copolymer with styrene have been investigated. The functional properties of both low and high molecular weight fluorophores in the presence of different metal cations have been discussed with regard to their potential application as fluorosensors for the metal cations and protons. In acetonitrile solution the monomeric 1,8‐naphthalimide enhances its fluorescence emission in the presence of metal cations (Zn²⁺, Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Mn²⁺). In aqueous media the poly(St‐co‐MD) exhibits a selective response to Fe³⁺ cations. The monomeric and polymeric fluorophores also exhibit a considerable increase in their fluorescence intensity at acidic pH values (pH < 6) which suggest that they could be used as ON–OFF probes in analytical devices for signaling the presence of protons. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

New green fluorescent polymer sensors for metal cations and protons

A new 4-(N-methylpiperazine)-N-allyl-1,8-naphthalimide with intense yellow-green fluorescence has been synthesized. Then it has been copolymerized with styrene and methylmetacrylate. The photophysical characteristics of the fluorescent dye and its copolymers (poly(St-co-NI) and poly(MAA-co-NI)) have been determined viewing their sensor properties for protons and transition metal cations (Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Zn²⁺). Fluorescence enhancement is the photophysical response of the 4-(N-methylpiperazine)-N-allyl-1,8-naphthalimide to the presence of metal cations and protons, while fluorescence quenching is observed for both copolymers.     

Design and synthesis of a new fluorescent tripod for chemosensor applications

A new yellow-green fluorescent tripod based 1,8-naphthalimide has been synthesized and characterised. Its photophysical properties have been investigated in organic solvents of different polarity. The effect that the metal ions (Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ba²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Ag⁺) produce upon the fluorescent intensity of acetonitrile solutions of the tripod has been discussed viewing its potential applications as a detector for metal cations. The influence of protons on the fluorescence intensity of the tripod in DMF and methanol–water (1:4 v/v) solutions has also been investigated.     

Synthesis and complexation study of calix[4]arene diamine derivative incorporated in a polymeric backbone with chiral monomers

The novel chiral polymeric compounds containing more than one calix[4]arene have been synthesized by reacting a new calix[4]arene diamine derivative with two chiral monomers. These newly prepared compounds were studied by extraction of toxic heavy metal (Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺), silver and alkali metal (Na⁺, K⁺) cations from aqueous phase. It was observed that the resulting calixarene-based polymers have a good complexing ability towards silver, alkali metal and toxic heavy metal cations.     

Synthesis and electrochemical sensing behaviour of a new ferrocene functionalized tet ‘a’ macrocyclic receptor towards transition metal ions

A new ferrocene functionalized macrocyclic receptor 1,8‐bis(ferrocenylmethyl)‐5,5,7,12,12,14‐hexamethyl‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane (R) has been designed and synthesized to study its potential application as chemosensor. The receptor has been characterized by spectral techniques and X‐ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pcab with four molecules in a unit cell (half‐a‐molecule in the asymmetric unit). The electrochemical studies of the receptor in dioxane–water (7:3 v/v, 25 °C) indicate that the receptor is pH‐dependent with a displacement of E_1/2 to more anodic potentials with a decrease in the pH from 12 to 5. The electrochemical behaviour of R was also studied in the presence of Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ in dioxane–water (7:3 v/v, 25 °C, [Buⁿ₄N][ClO₄]), showing that upon complexation the ferrocene–ferrocenium half‐wave potential shifts anodically in relation to that of the free receptor. The maximum electrochemical shift (ΔE_1/2) of 46 mV was found in the presence of Cu²⁺, followed by Co²⁺ (20 mV), Mn²⁺ (15 mV), Ni²⁺ (13 mV) and Zn²⁺ (9 mV). Moreover, the receptor R is able to electrochemically and selectively sense Cu²⁺ in the presence of the other transition metal cations studied. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A New Tridentate Sulfur Receptor as a Highly Sensitive and Selective Fluorescent Sensor for Cu2+ Ions

The introduction of Lawesson′s reagent into a bis‐rhodamine spirolactam system afforded a new fluorescent sensor for Cu²⁺ ions, SRR , which contained a new tridentate sulfur ligand. SRR showed excellent specificity for Cu²⁺ ions over other cations (including Cu⁺, Hg²⁺, and Fe³⁺), very high sensitivity (10 nM ), and a rapid response time (3 min). The detection mechanism was investigated by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ³¹P NMR, and ESR spectroscopy, MS, and Gaussian calculations. Coordination of a Cu²⁺ ion to the tridentate sulfur ligand, which promotes ring‐opening of the rhodamine groups, followed by a spontaneous reduction reaction (Cu²⁺ into Cu⁺), has been proposed as the sensing mechanism.     

Syntheses,structures of N‐(substituted)‐2‐aza‐[3]‐ferrocenophanes and their application as redox sensor for Cu2+ ion

Rigid N‐(substituted)‐2‐aza‐[3]‐ferrocenophanes L1 and L2 were easily synthesized from 1,1 ‐dicarboxyaldehydeferrocene and the corresponding amines. Ligands L1 and L2 were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. The coordination abilities of L1 and L2 with metal ions such as Cu²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry. The electrochemical shift (ΔE_1/2) of 125 mV was observed in the presence of Cu²⁺ ion, while no significant shift of the Fc/Fc + couple was observed when Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ metal ions were added to the solution of L1 in the mixture of MeOH and H₂O. Moreover, the extent of the anodic shift of redox potentials was approximately equal to that induced by Cu²⁺ alone when a mixture of Cu²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ was added to a solution of L1. Ligand L1 was proved to selectively sense Cu²⁺ in the presence of large, excessive first‐row transition and late‐transition metal cations. The coordination model was proposed from the results of controlled experiments and quantum calculations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

New sulfonate-containing network polymers based on immobilized <Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>-metacyclophane-3,5,10,12,17,19,24,26-octols

Polymeric metacyclophaneoctol-based sulfonic acids have been synthesized, and their ion-exchange properties have been studied. New polymeric sulfonic acids have been obtained through the sulfonation of network polymers based on immobilized cis-metacyclophane-3,5,10,12,17,19,24,26-octols. The structure of the polymers has been investigated by means of IR spectroscopy, potentiometric titration, and elemental analysis. The polymers thus obtained possess a high ion-exchange capacity with respect to Na⁺, Cu²⁺, [Pd(NH₃)₄]²⁺, and In³⁺ cations in a wide pH range. Selectivity coefficients of Na⁺-H⁺, Cu²⁺-H⁺, and In³⁺-H⁺ ion exchange have been estimated.     

First generation poly(propyleneimine) dendrimers functionalised with 1,8-naphthalimide units as fluorescence sensors for metal cations and protons

The synthesis of two new green fluorescent poly(propyleneimine) dendrimers from first generation has been described. The new materials are comprised of a 1,8-naphthalimide fluorophore having a substituent at C-4 position. The substituent in the first case is a N,N-dimethylaminoethylamino group while in the second one it is N-methylpiperazine. The spectroscopic and photophysical characteristics of the new dendrimers determined in organic solvent of different polarity have been presented. Both dendrimers show substantial increases in their fluorescence intensity in the presence of metal cations (Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Mn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Ag⁺) and protons. The influence of the photoinduced electron transfer on their sensing properties has been discussed.     

Poly­[copper(I)‐μ‐bromo‐μ‐2,3‐di­methyl­pyrazine‐N:N′]

In the structure of the title compound, [CuBr(C₆H₈N₂)]_n, each Cu²⁺ cation is surrounded by two 2,3‐di­methyl­pyrazine ligands and two Br^? anions in a distorted tetrahedral arrangement. The Cu²⁺ cations and Br^? anions form (Cu₂Br₂)₂ rhomboid dimers located around a centre of inversion. The 2,3‐di­methyl­pyrazine ligands connect the Cu²⁺ cations in the dimers into sheets parallel to (010).     

Cobaltocenium Carboxylate Transition Metal Complexes: Synthesis,Structure, Reactivity,and Cytotoxicity

Cobaltocenium carboxylate is an unusual betaine that functions as a formally neutral carboxylate ligand with late transition metal centers comprising Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ag⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, and Rh⁺. Structurally, a rich coordination chemistry is observed – from simple monomeric homoleptic complexes to heteroleptic dimeric, trimeric, and polymeric compounds, as shown by X‐ray diffraction of 11 compounds. Chemically, thermal decarboxylation was investigated aiming at the formation of cobaltocenium‐carbene transition metal complexes, in analogy to such chemistry of imidazolium carboxylate betaines. Cytotoxicity studies of cobaltocenium carboxylate transition metal complexes were performed to evaluate the medicinal bioorganometallic potential of these compounds. While cobaltocenium carboxylate was inactive, its complexes with Ag⁺, Cd²⁺, and Hg²⁺ triggered significant cytotoxic effects.     

Controlled Uptake and Release of Metal Cations by Vanadium Oxide Nanotubes

Vanadium oxide nanotubes (C_n‐VO_x‐NTs) contain α‐monoamines (C_nH_2n+1NH₂ with 4≤n≤22) as templates intercalated between crystalline VO_x layers comprising multilayer tube walls. The present study reveals that a large proportion of the amines can easily be exchanged by metal cations. The tubular morphology is not affected by this reaction, but the distance between the VO_x layers, i.e., 2.8 nm in C₁₂‐VO_xNTs, decreases in the reaction product to 0.9 – 1.2 nm, depending on the metal salt actually applied. Alkali (Na⁺, K⁺), alkaline‐earth (Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺), and transition‐metal salts (Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺) have successfully been intercalated. This reaction is partly reversible since intercalated sodium cations can be resubstituted by dodecylamine. This exchange produces again C₁₂‐VO_x‐NTs with the original inter‐layer spacing. However, this release is successful only when sodium is complexed by a crown ether. Under these reaction conditions, even a cyclic uptake and release of Na⁺ and amine, respectively, accompanied by a corresponding shrinkage and widening of the inter‐layer distance, is observed while the tubular structure is widely preserved. Furthermore, a distinct selectivity of the metal‐cation exchange has been observed.     

Metal complexes of polymeric tetrapyrazinoporphyrazine of the network structure: III. Catalytic properties

The catalytic properties of complexes of network polytetrapyrazinoporphyrazine with Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, and Fe²⁺ in the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide under heterogeneous conditions were studied. These compounds exhibit catalytic activity which depends on the nature of a metal ion. A comparison of the catalytic properties of the monomeric and polymeric isometallic complexes of tetrapyrazinoporphyrazine reveals an activating effect of the giant conjugated system of the polymeric macroligand.     

A urea complex of copper(II) hypophosphite at 293, 100 and 15 K

The crystal structure of poly­[copper(II)‐di‐μ‐hypophosphito‐μ‐urea], [Cu(H₂PO₂)₂(CH₄N₂O)]_n, has been determined at 293, 100 and 15 K. The geometry of the hypophosphite anion is very close to ideal, with point symmetry mm2. Each Cu atom lies on an inversion centre and is coordinated to six O atoms from four hypophosphite anions and two urea mol­ecules, forming a tetragonal bipyramid. The unique urea molecule lies on a twofold axis. Each hypophosphite anion in the structure is coordinated to two Cu atoms. The hypophosphite anions, urea mol­ecules and Cu^II cations form polymeric ribbons. The Cu^II cations in the ribbon are linked together by two hypophos­phite anions and a urea mol­ecule, which is coordinated to Cu via an O atom. The ribbons are linked to each other by N—­H?O hydrogen bonds and form polymeric layers.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Electrochemical Polymerization of a Ru2+ Functionalized Pyrrole Monomer

A ruthenium(II) functionalized pyrrole, Ruthenium‐bis‐N,N′‐(2,2′‐bipyridyl)‐N‐(pyridine‐4‐ylmethyl‐(8‐pyrrole‐1‐yl‐octyl)amine)chloride, 1 , has been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic (UV/vis, ¹H NMR) techniques and cyclic voltammetry. In solution 1 gave a redox couple associated with the Ru^3+/2+ redox system and an irreversible wave associated with the oxidation of the covalently linked pyrrole moiety. What is believed to be homopolymerization, redox active surface films of 1 have been prepared by electrooxidation of the monomeric solution. The resulting polymeric film exhibited clear redox activity associated with the incorporated Ru²⁺ redox centre, which is covalently linked ruthenium centre to the pyrrole moiety in 1. The effect of surface coverage upon the electrochemical behavior of the deposited films has been undertaken. Preliminary investigations into the homogeneous charge transport dynamics of the polymeric film deposited onto platinum microelectrodes has been undertaken. Copolymerization with 3‐methylthiophene was carried out and a clear ruthenium response was seen. Films were formed by both cyclic voltammetry and chronocoulometry and studied. Various ratios were attempted but the ideal was found to be 52 : 5 mmol (3‐methylthiophene: 1 ).     

Sensor activity, photodegradation and photostabilisation of a PAMAM dendrimer comprising 1,8-naphthalimide functional groups in its periphery

The colouristic and fluorescent characteristics of a new composite material based on a PAMAM dendrimer of second generation whose periphery is modified with 4-N,N-dimethylaminoethylamino-1,8-naphthalimide and polyamide-6 have been investigated. This dendrimer has been investigated with regard to its application as a heterogenic sensor capable of detecting metal cations and protons in aqueous solutions. In the presence of metal cations (Ni²⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Co²⁺) and protons the fluorescence intensity of the composite increases due to their coordination with dendrimer molecule. The results obtained reveal the capacity of this system to act as a sensitive sensor of environmental pollution by metal cations and protons. It has been shown that in N,N-dimethylformamide solution the metal cations inhibit the processes of photodegradation of the dendrimer.     

Synthesis of Novel 4‐((Substituted bis‐indolyl)methyl)‐benzo‐15‐crown‐5 for the Colorimetric Detection of Hg2+ Ions in an Aqueous Medium

A practical, two‐step synthesis of novel 4‐(substituted bis‐indolyl)methyl)benzo‐15‐crown‐5 has been reported. The strategy employed for the synthesis of the desired molecules involved Duff formylation of benzo‐15‐crown‐5 to get 4‐formyl benzo‐15‐crown‐5 followed by subsequent reactions with substituted indoles in trifluoroacetic acid to yield novel 4‐(substituted bis‐indolyl)methyl)benzo‐15‐crown‐5 in moderate to good yield. One of the reported novel molecule tested for the complexation behavior with various metal cations, such as Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺ Ca²⁺, Al³⁺, Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Sn²⁺, Ba²⁺, Hg²⁺, and Pb²⁺, showed a visual colorimetric probe for the detection of mercury cations (Hg²⁺) in an aqueous medium.     

Turn‐on fluorogenic and chromogenic detection of cations in complete water media with poly(N‐vinyl pyrrolidone) bearing rhodamine B derivatives as polymeric chemosensor

A hydrophobic organic monomer GRBE with a polymerizable methacrylester moiety had been synthesized by reaction of rhodamine B‐ethanediamine with glycidyl methacrylate. A water‐soluble polymeric chemosensor poly(VP‐GRBE) had been prepared via copolymerization with a hydrophilic comonomer (vinylpyrrolidone) and GRBE, which was able to sense environmentally poisonous cations in completely aqueous media. The chemosensor was a derivative of rhodamine B, which behaved as a fluorescent and chromogenic sensor toward various heavy cations, particularly Cr³⁺, Fe³⁺, and Hg²⁺. Titration curves of Cr³⁺, Fe³⁺, and Hg²⁺ were constructed using rapid, cheap, and widely available technique of fluorescence spectroscopies. The detection limits for Cr³⁺, Fe³⁺, or Hg²⁺ ions were found to be 2.20 × 10^?12, 2.39 × 10^?12, and 1.11 × 10^?12 mol/l in the same medium, respectively. Moreover, a colorimetric response from the polymeric chemosensor permitted the detection of Cr³⁺, Hg²⁺, or Fe³⁺ by “naked eye” because of the development of a pink or brown yellow color when Cr³⁺, Hg²⁺, or Fe³⁺ cations interacted with the copolymer in aqueous media. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

catena‐Poly[hexaaquamagnesium(II) [bis(μ3‐5‐nitro‐2‐oxidoisophthalato)dicopper(II)] dihydrate]

In the centrosymmetric dinuclear anions of the title bimetallic complex, {[Mg(H₂O)₆][Cu₂(C₈H₂NO₇)₂]·2H₂O}_n, each Cu^II ion is strongly coordinated by four O atoms in a distorted square‐planar geometry. Two of these O atoms belong to phenolate groups and the other two to carboxylate groups from 5‐nitro‐2‐oxidoisophthalate (L1) trianions, derived from 5‐nitrobenzene‐1,2,3‐tricarboxylic acid (O₂N–H₃L). The phenolate O atoms bridge the two Cu^II ions in the anion. In addition, each Cu^II cation interacts weakly with a symmetry‐related carboxylate O atom of an adjacent L1 ligand, giving a square‐pyramidal coordination geometry. The copper residue forms a ladder‐like linear coordination polymer via L1 ligands. The [Mg(H₂O)₆]²⁺ cations sit on centres of inversion. The polymeric anions, cations and free water molecules are self‐assembled into a three‐dimensional supramolecular network via O—H...O hydrogen bonds.     

An Efficient Way for the Recognition of Zinc Ion via the Fluorescence Enhancement

This study concentrates on the spectral and complexing properties of a tetraoxycalix[2]arene[2]triazine derivative bearing two bipyridines (Calix‐BIPY2) in a mixture of acetonitrile:chloroform (4:1, V:V). The results show that Calix‐BIPY2 has a highly selectivity and sensitivity towards Zn²⁺ over various competing cations (K⁺, Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ag⁺, Al³⁺ and Pb²⁺). The complexation of Zn²⁺ induces a remarkable fluorescence enhancement due to combination effects of the binding strength, electron spins state of metal ions, photoinduced charge transfer (PCT) and the rigidity of the complexing unit offered by calixarene‐based hosts.