Anion exchange in trimethyl‐ and triphenyltin complexes with chromogenic ligands: solution equilibria and colorimetric anion sensing

A series of organotin(IV) compounds R₃Sn(A) where R = Me or Ph and A is a chromogenic nitrophenolate ligand were prepared and studied as possible colorimetric sensors for anions (F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, AcO⁻, H₂PO₄⁻). Equilibrium constants for a complete set of reactions between R₃Sn(A) with A = 2‐amino‐4‐nitrophenolate (ANP) or 4‐nitrophenolate and anions (X⁻) involving formation of complexes R₃Sn(A)(X)⁻ and substitution products R₃Sn(X) and R₃Sn(X)₂⁻ were determined by UV‐vis and ¹H NMR titrations in MeCN and DMSO. The binding selectivity was AcO⁻ > F⁻ > H₂PO₄⁻ > Cl⁻ ≫ Br⁻ in both solvents and both for R = Me and Ph with higher affinity for R = Ph. Compounds with A = ANP were found to have the optimum properties as anion sensors allowing optical detection of F⁻, AcO⁻ and H₂PO₄⁻ anions in the 5–100 µM range by appearance of an intense absorption band of free ANP resulting from its substitution with the analyte. Selectivity and affinity of anion interactions with R₃Sn(ANP) are similar to those for thiourea receptors, but the organotin receptor produces a much larger naked eye detected optical signal, operates equally well in nonpolar and polar solvents and tolerates the presence of up to 20% vol. of water in DMSO. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.