New strained ferrocenophane-based receptors for the selective electrochemical recognition of Mg in the presence of Ca cations

Ferrocenophane derivatives 3 act as electrochemical sensors of Mg²⁺ ions: a new redox peak appears in the CVs anodically shifted compared to the E_1/2 of the free receptors by 268-382 mV. Receptors 3a, 3c and 3d are selective for Mg²⁺, whilst 3b is also responsive to Ca²⁺ ion (302 mV shift). Receptor 3c also gave a highly visual output response in the presence of Mg²⁺ consisting of a deep purple colour.