Synthesis and Characterization of a New Neutral Ionophore for Use in Bulk Optode

Chemical sensors based on optical signal detection are of increasing importance. Optical sensors of bulk optodes have the advantage of being robust and showing a highly reversible response explainable by means of the chemical equilibria involved. Therefore, a great number of new ion-selective bulk optodes have reported within a few years. Several sensors for detecting toxicologically revalant ions,such as Pb²⁺,Ag⁺,Hg²⁺ and UO₂²⁺ have been developed recently and exhibit the low detection limit required. Although a number of ionophores have been used in optodes and ISEs,the sensors described so far are inadequate for monitoring Ag⁺ in water, especially in drinking water because of their limited selectivity and/or insufficient sensitivity. More recently Pretsch et al designed and synthesized an improved optical sensor, methylene bis(2-thiobenzothiazole),which was Ag⁺-selective. Here we report synthesis of another ionophore,1,2-bis(2-thiobenzothiazole) ethane, and its IR, ESI-MS, ¹HNMR and UV-Vis.