Ferrocene-based ureas as multisignaling receptors for anions

The synthesis of structurally new types of ferrocene-based ureas, in which the ferrocene moiety is simultaneously attached to two urea groups, have been prepared directly from 1,1'-bis(isocyanato)ferrocene 1. Homoditopic receptors 2a-e show spectral and electrochemical anion-sensing action: they display a selective downfield shift of the urea protons and a cathodic shift of the ferrocene/ferrocinium redox couple with hydrogen phosphate and fluoride anions. In addition, receptor 2d based on an unprecedent tetraaza[9]ferrocenophane architecture, shows spectral, electrochemical, and selective fluorescent responses to fluoride anion.     

Selective Metal‐Cation Recognition by [2.2]Ferrocenophanes: The Cases of Zinc‐ and Lithium‐Sensing

The synthesis, electrochemical, optical, and cation‐sensing properties of [2.2]ferrocenophanes, in which the two ferrocene subunits are linked through two aldiminic or iminophosphorane moieties, are reported. The new compounds show remarkably selective cation‐sensing properties due to the presence of redox‐active units (ferrocene) and aza‐unsaturated functionalities that are able to act as putative cation‐binding sites. In this structural motif, the aldimine groups act as a highly selective binding site for Zn²⁺ cations, whereas the iminophosphorane bridges display an unusually strong binding affinity towards Li⁺ cations, which could be explained by an additional Li???Fe interaction. The X‐ray structure of the complex 4? Li⁺ as well as detailed NMR spectroscopic studies, both in solution and in the solid state, support this assessment. Experimental data and conclusions about the cation‐sensing capabilities of this family of compounds are supported by DFT calculations.     

A ferrocene-based heteroditopic ligand for electrochemical sensing of cations and anions

A ferrocene-based heteroditopic receptor containing urea and crown ether units shows electrochemical responses to dihydrogenphosphate and fluoride anions. K+ cations can only be detected in the presence of dihydrogenphosphate.     

Anion Sensing through Redox-Modulated Fluorescent Halogen Bonding and Hydrogen Bonding Hosts**

Anion sensing via either optical or electrochemical readouts has separately received enormous attention, however, a judicious combination of the advantages of both modalities remains unexplored. Toward this goal, we herein disclose a series of novel, redox-active, fluorescent, halogen bonding (XB) and hydrogen bonding (HB) BODIPY-based anion sensors, wherein the introduction of a ferrocene motif induces remarkable changes in the fluorescence response. Extensive fluorescence anion titration, lifetime and electrochemical studies reveal anion binding-induced emission modulation through intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer (PET), the magnitude of which is dependent on the nature of both the XB/HB donor and anion. Impressively, the XB sensor outperformed its HB congener in terms of anion binding strength and fluorescence switching magnitude, displaying significant fluorescence turn-OFF upon anion binding. In contrast, redox-inactive control receptors display a turn-ON response, highlighting the pronounced impact of the introduction of the redox-active ferrocene on the optical sensing performance. Additionally, the redox-active ferrocene motif also serves as an electrochemical reporter group, enabling voltammetric anion sensing in competitive solvents. The combined advantages of both sensing modalities were further exploited in a novel, proof-of-principle, fluorescence spectroelectrochemical anion sensing approach, enabling simultaneous and sensitive read out of optical and electrochemical responses in multiple oxidation states and at very low receptor concentration.     

Ferrocene-thiophene dyads with azadiene spacers: electrochemical, electronic and cation sensing properties

The synthesis, electrochemical, electronic and cation sensing properties of ferrocene-thiophene ligands, linked by 2-aza-1,3-butadiene bridges, whose characteristics have been systematically varied by introducing the ferrocene moiety at the 1- or 4-position of the aza bridge, are presented. Spectroelectrochemical studies revealed the presence of low-energy bands in the partially oxidized forms, which indicate the existence of intramolecular electron-transfer between the iron center and the organic bridges. Some of the reported ligands have also shown to be efficient chemosensors for metal ions. Compounds 5a and 5b function as highly selective chemosensors for Mg2+ ions, while not showing any response to Ca2+ or alkali metal ions, whereas ligand 3b shows a selective sensing response to the soft Cd2+ metal ions over Hg2+ cations.     

3.3]Ferrocenophanes with guanidine bridging units as multisignalling receptor molecules for selective recognition of anions, cations, and amino acids

The synthesis, electrochemical, and optical properties of a new [3.3]ferrocenophane framework in which two ferrocene subunits, with similar electronic environments, are linked through two substituted guanidine moieties, are reported. The receptors 4-7 have been prepared in good yields by the reaction of bis(carbodiimide) 3 with primary amines. This architecture is exceptionally "tunable" because a variety of "legs" may be appended to the basic [3.3]ferrocenophane scaffold to give a wide range of signaling units. These receptors show remarkable ion-sensing properties, due to the presence of a redox active unit (ferrocene), and an amphoteric binding site (guanidine). In this nitrogen-rich structural motif the guanidine bridges act as multipoint binding sites for anions, cations, and amino acids. Sensing of anions takes place both by unprecedented redox-ratiometric measurements (F-, Cl-, AcO-, NO3-, HSO4-, H2PO4-, and HP2O7(3-)), and colorimetric change (F-, AcO-, H2PO4-, and HP2O7(3-)). Sensing and discrimination of amino acids takes place by redox-ratiometric measurements, whereas the recognition of metal cations (Zn2+, Ni2+, and Cd2+) is achieved either by electrochemical or fluorescence measurements. Moreover, the reported receptors display splitting of the oxidation wave of the Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox couple, and form the mixed-valence species 4+* -7+* by electrochemical partial oxidation which, interestingly, show intervalence charge-transfer transitions associated to the appearance of absorption bands in the near infrared spectral region.     

Multichannel recognition of hydrogen sulphate anion by a Zn(II)–triazole–pyridine complex bearing a ferrocenyl pendant

Receptors ferrocene–triazole–pyridine triads assembled with Zn(II) or Cd(II) metal cations behave as chemosensor molecules for HSO₄ ^?  anions through electrochemical and optical channels: the redox peak of the ferrocene/ferrocenium redox couple is shifted cathodically by 72–53 mV, and a new absorption band appeared in the UV–vis spectrum upon complexation with the HSO₄ ^?  anion. Association constants, detection limits and stoichiometries of the recognition processes have been determined, whereas ¹H NMR experiments and density functional theory calculations are used to suggest the plausible binding mode taking place in the new supramolecular assembly formed.     

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.     

An optical and electrochemical anion sensor of F− investigated by UV–vis, 1H NMR and cyclic voltammetry

A new anion receptor: 1,1′-di-(2″,4″-di-nitrophenylhydrazino-β-carbonyl)-ferrocene (1) based on ferrocene has been designed and synthesized as a highly colorimetric and electrochemical sensitive sensor for F^?. The binding mode with F^? was further investigated by UV–vis titration and ¹H NMR titration experiments. In addition, the cyclic voltammetry (CV) was performed to discuss the electrochemical sensing for F^?.     

Modulation of the metal recognition properties of a new type of azaferrocenophane-based chemosensors: co-ordination chemistry towards Mg2+, Ca2+, Zn2+ and Ni2+

The structure-redox chemistry relationship of a new type of azaferrocenophane-based chemosensors, 3 and 4, in the presence of protons and several kinds of metal ions, has been studied. Electrochemical studies, carried out in CH2Cl2, in the presence of increasing amounts of Mg2+, Ca2+, Zn2+ and Ni2+ showed that the wave corresponding to the Fc/Fc+ couple of the uncomplexed ligands is gradually replaced by a new reversible wave at more positive potentials corresponding to the Fc/Fc+ couple of the complexed ligands. The maximum shift of the ferrocene oxidation wave was found for 4b in the presence of Mg2+, whereas for 3f a selective sensing response for Mg2+ in the presence of hydrated Ca2+ cations was observed, with a concomitant highly visual output response consisting of a deep purple colour.     

Ditopic redox-active polyferrocenyl zinc(II) dithiocarbamate macrocyclic receptors: synthesis, coordination and electrochemical recognition properties

The synthesis of a range of ditopic polyferrocenyl zinc(II) dithiocarbamate macrocyclic receptors containing ferrocene groups on the macrocycle's periphery and/or as part of the cyclic cavity is reported. The assemblies have been characterised by a range of spectroscopic techniques, electrochemical studies and in two cases by X-ray structure determination. The ability of these host systems to bind and sense electrochemically anionic guest species, isonicotinate and benzoate, and neutral 4-picoline guest was examined by 1H NMR and cyclic voltammetric titration studies. The strongest association was found between the isonicotinate anion and a dinuclear zinc(II) receptor whose macrocyclic cavity is of complementary size to complex this bidentate guest species in a cooperative manner. Cyclic voltammetric studies demonstrated that all receptors can electrochemically sense the binding of isonicotinate and benzoate via significant cathodic perturbations of the respective ferrocene redox couple.     

Voltammetric Anion Sensors based on Redox‐active Ferrocene‐bearing Macrocyclic Amides

Reactions between 5‐ferrocenylisophthalic dichloride and 1,2‐bis(o‐aminophenoxy)ethane yield 1:1‐ and 2:2‐cyclization products with amide linkages, which are marked as L1 and L2 , respectively. The crystal structure of the 2:2‐macrocycle L2 is determined by X‐ray single crystal structure analysis. Interestingly, L2 affords a folded conformation due to the intermolecular π–π interaction between two isophthaloyl groups, so as to stabilize the marcocylic conformation. The electrochemical anion sensing studies of L1 and L2 show that they have a good ability to recognize H₂PO₄^–, and the 2:2‐cyclization products ( L2 ) with two ferrocene groups, more anion binding sites, and larger cavities, give better electrochemical anion recognition results than L1 .     

An electrochemical and optical anion chemosensor based on tripodal tris(ferrocenylurea)

A neutral tripodal tris(ferrocenylurea) anion receptor has been designed that can electrochemically and optically recognize sulfate and phosphate anions. The binding of the tetrahedral anion induced distinct cathodic shifts of the ferrocene/ferrocenium redox couple in chloroform, whereas the UV/Vis spectrum of the receptor showed an increase in the d–d transition band upon addition of sulfate ions. Furthermore, the anion complexes (TBA)₂ ? [SO₄?L] ? H₂O ( 1 ) and TBA[F?L] ( 2 ; TBA=tetrabutylammonium ion) were isolated. Crystal structural analyses showed that the receptor in the two 1:1 (host/guest) complexes encapsulated sulfate or fluoride ions in the tripodal cavity through multiple hydrogen bonds. ¹H NMR spectroscopic and ESI mass‐spectrometric analysis revealed strong sulfate and fluoride binding in solution.     

Arylpyrrolyldiketone Boron Complexes Exhibiting Various Anion‐Binding Modes Based on Dynamic Conformation Changes

Arylpyrrolyldiketone boron complexes as anion‐responsive π‐electronic molecules were synthesized by Claisen condensations of acetylpyrrole and corresponding aryl esters. The synthesized π‐electronic molecules exhibited anion‐binding behavior with various binding modes including pyrrole‐inverted and non‐inverted [1+1]‐type anion complexes as well as [2+1]‐type complexes owing to the presence of only a single pyrrole ring. Furthermore, solid‐state ion‐pairing assemblies, comprising receptor–anion complexes and countercations, were constructed based on fairly planar [2+1]‐type complexes.     

取代二茂铁多碘化合物的合成`表征和穆斯堡尔谱研究

合成了一系列新的取代二茂铁多碘化合物,通式为[(RC_5H_4)(R′C_5H_4)Fe]·I_x。元素分析表明,取代基不同时,二茂铁与碘可以整比或非整比结合。~(57)Fe穆斯堡尔谱和红外光谱的研究表明,因取代基不同,二茂铁可以完全地或部分地被碘氧化。     

Stepwise Encapsulation of Sulfate Ions by Ferrocenyl‐Functionalized Tripodal Hexaurea Receptors

Three ferrocenyl‐functionalized tripodal hexaurea anion receptors with ortho‐ ( L² ), meta‐ ( L³ ), and para‐phenylene ( L⁴ ) bridges, which showed strong binding affinities toward sulfate ions, have been designed and synthesized. In particular, meta‐phenylene‐bridged ligand L³ , owing to its trigonal bipyramidal structure, can encapsulate two SO₄^2? ions in its “inner” and “outer” tripodal clefts, respectively, as supported by their clearly distinct NMR resonances and by molecular modeling. The sulfate complex of ortho‐ligand L² , (TBA)₂[SO₄? L² ] ? 2 H₂O ( 1 ), displays a caged tetrahedral structure with an encapsulated sulfate ion that is hydrogen bonded by the six urea groups of ligand L² . CV studies showed two types of electrochemical response of the ferrocene/ferrocenium redox couple upon anion binding, that is, a shift of the wave and the appearance of a new peak. Quantitative binding data were obtained from the NMR and CV titrations.     

Pyridinium/urea-based anion receptor: methine formation in the presence of basic anions

The influence of the positively charged N-methylpyridinium substituent on the anion binding tendencies of urea-based receptors has been investigated by comparing molecules 1 and 2. These receptors have been studied in acetonitrile, by performing UV-vis. and (1)H NMR titrations with several anions. UV-vis. titrations have also been performed in DMSO, MeOH and CHCl(3)/CH(3)CN mixture (1/1, v/v). In the case of 1, the presence of both H-donor and H-acceptor groups (urea and pyridine, respectively) favours aggregation and the formation of dimers in the solid state. In solution, this tendency to aggregate reduces affinity for anions with respect to the similar urea-based receptor 3. The methylation of the pyridyl group of 1 leads to the pyridinium-containing receptor 2. The pyridinium positive charge enhances the acidity of urea and increases anion affinity, as evidenced by the comparison of the binding constants. Both receptors (1-2) form stable adducts with all investigated anions. However, in the case of 2, the formation of 1?:?1 adducts with basic anions, such as acetate and fluoride, is followed by a proton transfer process. Quite interestingly, deprotonation does not involve the urea group, thus preserving the 1?:?1 adduct, as demonstrated by the (1)H NMR measurements. In particular, the proton transfer process takes place at the methylene group linking the pyridinium fragment to the receptor's skeleton. (1)H NMR studies indicate the formation of a stable neutral methine species, characterised by the loss of aromaticity by the pyridyl ring. These results open new perspectives in the field of anion recognition, as receptor 2 may by applied to the monitoring of both bound anion (through the urea unit) and excess anion in solution (through the development of the yellow methine species).     

Host-guest complexation of a fluorescent and electrochemical chemsensor for fluoride anion

Host-guest complexation of a ferrocenenylphalene dyad 1, 1,1'-diaceylferrocenyl-3-hydroxyl-2-naphthoylhydrazone, as a fluorescent and electrochemical chemosensor for fluoride anion, was investigated. Crystal structure analysis revealed that the two naphthyl arms of compound 1 positioned in the same side about the ferrocene moiety and interacted through pi-pi stacking interactions. The intermolecular pi-pi stacking interactions and the C-H...pi interactions between the ferrocene moieties and the naphthalene rings linked the molecules together featuring a two-dimensional layered structure. Fluorescence titrations of compound 1 indicated that in the presence of F- and H2PO4-, the emission intensities enhanced significantly. Electrochemical titrations revealed that compound 1 sensed the F- anion in high selectivity with a cathodic shift of 120 mV, and had no sense in recognizing H2PO4- anion. 1H NMR titrations demonstrated that while compound 1 hydrogen-bonded to H2PO4- forming simple 1 : 1 host-guest complex, further addition of F- induced the deprotonation of compound 1.     

Ferrocene-based heteroditopic receptors displaying high selectivity toward lead and mercury metal cations through different channels

The synthesis and electrochemical, optical, and ion-sensing properties of ferrocene-imidazophenazine dyads are presented. Dyad 4 behaves as a highly selective chemosensor molecule for Pb(2+) cations in CH(3)-CN/H(2)O (9:1). The emission spectrum (λ(exc) = 317 nm) undergoes an important chelation-enhanced fluorescence effect (CHEF = 47) in the presence of Pb(2+) cations, a new low-energy band appeared at 502 nm, in its UV/vis spectrun, and the oxidation redox peak is anodically shifted (ΔE(1/2) = 230 mV). The presence of Hg(2+) cations also induced a perturbation of the redox potencial although in less extension than those found with Pb(2+) cations. Dyad 7, bearing two fused pyridine rings, has shown its ability for sensing Hg(2+) cations selectively through three channels: electrochemical, optical, and fluorescent; the oxidation redox peak is anodically shifted (ΔE(1/2) = 200 mV), a new low-energy band of the absorption spectrum appeared at 485 nm, and the emission spectrum (λ(exc) = 340 nm) is red-shifted by 32 nm accompanied by a remarkable chelation-enhanced fluorescent effect (CHEF = 165). Linear sweep voltammetry revealed that Cu(2+) cations induced oxidation of the ferrocene unit in both dyads. (1)H NMR studies have been carried out to obtain information about the molecular sites which are involved in the binding process.     

Imidazolium-based macrocycles as multisignaling chemosensors for anions

A series of structurally novel anion receptors , , and in which a ferrocene unit and a fluorescent moiety are linked to two imidazolium rings have been designed and prepared from 1,1'-bis(imidazolylmethyl)ferrocene. Their crystal structures revealed that these receptors are capable of incorporating anions such as PF(6)(-) and Br(-). Consequently, the anion binding studies were carried out using various techniques including electrochemistry (CV and OSWV), fluorescence, UV-vis, and (1)H NMR spectroscopy. All the receptors showed a special electrochemical response to the F(-) anion with a remarkable cathodic shift of more than 260 mV and displayed a unique selectivity for F(-) and AcO(-) anions with fluorescence enhancement over various other anions of present interest (Cl(-), Br(-), I(-), HSO(4)(-), H(2)PO(4)(-)). In addition, for receptor , obvious absorption changes were observed when the H(2)PO(4)(-) anion was added while other anions (F(-), Cl(-), Br(-), I(-), AcO(-), HSO(4)(-)) showed only a minor influence on the UV-vis spectra. (1)H NMR titrations demonstrated that receptors and can bind anions through (C-H)(+)X(-) hydrogen bonds and showed strong affinity and high selectivity for the AcO(-) anion in acetonitrile.