Heterodinuclear ruthenium(II) bipyridyl-transition metal dithiocarbamate macrocycles for anion recognition and sensing

New heterodinuclear ruthenium(II) bipyridyl-transition metal dithiocarbamate macrocycles have been prepared in good yields via metal directed self-assembly and shown to recognise anions. ¹H NMR anion titration studies reveal the nature of the bipyridyl amide metal dithiocarbamate spacer unit in the respective dinuclear metal macrocycle influences significantly the strength of chloride and bromide complexation in DMSO solutions. Luminescence spectroscopy was used to sense anions in polar organic solutions via notable emission enhancement and quenching of the respective ruthenium(II) bipyridyl groups in the receptors.