Mononuclear Ferrocenophane Structural Motifs with Two Thiourea Arms Acting as a Dual Binding Site for Anions and Cations

Electrochemical Anion Sensing: Supramolecular Approaches

Anions play a vital role in a broad range of environmental, technological, and physiological processes, making their detection/quantification valuable. Electroanalytical sensors offer much to the selective, sensitive, cheap, portable, and real-time analysis of anion presence where suitable combinations of selective (noncovalent) recognition and transduction can be integrated. Spurred on by significant developments in anion supramolecular chemistry, electrochemical anion sensing has received considerable attention in the past two decades. In this review, we provide a detailed overview of all electroanalytical techniques that have been used for this purpose, including voltammetric, impedimetric, capacititive, and potentiometric methods. We will confine our discussion to sensors that are based on synthetic anion receptors with a specific focus on reversible, noncovalent interactions, in particular, hydrogen- and halogen-bonding. Apart from their sensory properties, we will also discuss how electrochemical techniques can be used to study anion recognition processes (e.g., binding constant determination) and will furthermore provide a detailed outlook over future efforts and promising new avenues in this field.

The structure of Cu(II) and Hg(II) complexes of bispyrenyl azine revisited

Azine ligands show preference for the antiperiplanar conformation, but their 2:2 ligand-metal complexes can exhibit a central N₄M₂ core in the most stable chair arrangement, as in the case of the model lithium complex, with the ligand displaying a synclinal conformation that is not stable in the free ligand. According to DFT calculations, complexation of Cu²⁺ with bis(1-pyrenyl)azine (1) affords a C₂-symmetric [1·Cu²⁺]₂ species with a planar central N₄Cu₂ core exhibiting a weak cuprophilic interaction. The pendant pyrenyl substituents are brought close and parallel to each other, therefore accounting for the π-stacking that is responsible for excimer fluorescence. In case of Hg²⁺, complexation by the same ligand affords a C₂-symmetric complex with an essentially linear N-Hg-C coordination environment at every metal center and without intermetallic interaction. T-Stacking interactions between pyrenyl groups explain the overall rigidity required for enhancement of fluorescence. Graphical abstract The structures of 2:2 complexes of Hg(II) and Cu(II) with bispyrenyl azine are reported.

Substituent directed selectivity in anion recognition by a new class of simple osmium-pyrazole derived receptors

The present article deals with the structurally, spectroscopically and electrochemically characterised osmium-bipyridyl derived complexes [(bpy)2Os(II)(HL1)Cl]ClO4 [1]ClO4 and [(bpy)2Os(II)(HL2)Cl]ClO4 [2]ClO4 incorporating neutral and monodentate pyrazole derivatives (HL) with one free NH function (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, HL1 = pyrazole, HL2 = 3,5-dimethylpyrazole). The crystal structures of [1]ClO4 and [2]ClO4 reveal intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions between the free NH proton of HL and the equatorially placed Cl(-) ligand (N-HCl) with donor-acceptor distances of 3.114(7) Å and 3.153(6) Å as well as intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions between the NH proton and one of the oxygen atoms of ClO4(-) (N-HO) with donor-acceptor distances of 2.870(10) Å and 3.024(8) Å, respectively. The effect of hydrogen bonding interactions has translated into the less acidic nature of the NH proton of the coordinated HL with estimated pKa > 12. 1(+) and 2(+) exhibit reversible Os(II)/(III) and irreversible Os(III)/(IV) processes in CH3CN within ± 2.0 V versus SCE. The effect of 3,5-dimethyl substituted HL2 on 2(+) has been reflected in the appreciable lowering (40 mV) of the Os(II/III) potential, along with the further decrease in the acidity of the NH proton (pKa > 13.0) with regard to HL1 coordinated 1(+) (pKa: ∼ 12.3). The electronic spectral features of Os(ii) (1(+)/2(+)) and electrochemically generated Os(III) (1(2+)/2(2+)) derived complexes have been analysed by TD-DFT calculations. The efficacy of the 1(+) and 2(+) encompassing free NH proton towards the anion recognition process has been evaluated by different experimental investigations using a wide variety of anions. It however establishes that receptor 1(+) can recognise both F(-) and OAc(-) in acetonitrile solution, while 2(+) is exclusively selective for the F(-) ion.

A case of oxoanion recognition based on combined cationic and neutral C–H hydrogen bond interactions

A bidentate bis-(benzimidazolium) receptor containing pyrene as fluorescent signaling units recognizes sulphate and hydrogenpyrophosphate in a competitive water–DMSO medium through combinations of cationic and neutral C–H hydrogen bonding.

A simple and highly selective 2,2-diferrocenylpropane-based multi-channel ion pair receptor for Pb2+ and HSO4−

A 2,2-diferrocenylpropane-based multi-channel ion pair receptor 1 was designed and structurally characterized. It was a “naked-eye-detectable” chemosensor towards Pb²⁺ and HSO₄⁻ with excellent selectivity and sensitivity.

Bis(carbazolyl)ureas as selective receptors for the recognition of hydrogenpyrophosphate in aqueous media

Recognition properties of the novel bis(carbazole) tris-ureidic-based receptors 1 and 2 toward different anions have been studied by (1)H NMR and absorption and emission spectroscopy, as well as by DFT calculations. Receptor 1, in which the two urea-functionalized arms are decorated with p-nitrophenyl rings, behaves as a highly selective chromogenic molecular probe for hydrogenpyrophosphate anion in a competitive medium (acetonitrile/water, 70/30). Receptor 2, bearing two urea arms decorated with photoactive pyrenyl rings, acts as a highly selective fluorescent molecular probe for hydrogenpyrophosphate anion in either acetonitrile or an aqueous mixture (acetonitrile/water, 85/15). Receptor 2 exhibits a dual monomer-excimer emission spectrum and undergoes a remarked ratiometry in acetonitrile in the presence of hydrogenpyrophosphate: the excimer band disappears, whereas the monomer band is slightly increased. However, in the aqueous mixture, a strong increase of the excimer emission band was observed, while the monomer emission bands remained almost unaffected. The resulting binding modes and spectroscopic features are explained by suitable structures of model complexes for both receptors. In such complexes, a peripheral cooperative effect was found, alleviating the excess of negative charge in the guest toward the outer surface of the host, as well as the required enlargement on its internal cavity.

Effects of structures of HgX2 complexes (X = CF3SO3 and Cl) with chiral bidentate ligands on circular dichroism spectra

The effects of the structures of HgX2 complexes (X = CF3SO3 and Cl) with chiral bidentate ligands [(R)-(−)-1-(1-naphthyl)-N,N-bis(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)ethanamine, (R)-(+)-1-phenyl-N,N-bis(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)ethanamine, (R)-(−)-1-(1-naphthyl)-N,N-bis(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)ethanamine, and (R)-(+)-1-phenyl-N,N-bis(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)ethanamine] on circular dichroism (CD) spectra are reported. The CD spectra of free (R)-(−)-1a and (R)-(+)-1b, which have 4-pyridyl groups, are similar to those of (R)-(−)-2a and (R)-(+)-2b, which have 3-pyridyl groups. When equimolar amounts of Hg(CF3SO3)2 are added to these ligands, a decrease in the CD intensity of (R)-(−)-2a is observed, and significant spectral changes (intensity and shape) are observed in (R)-(−)-1a, (R)-(+)-1b, and (R)-(+)-2b. X-ray crystal structures suggest that the (R)-(−)-2a/Hg(CF3SO3)2 complex is a coordination polymer with no bridging CF3SO3 anions, whereas the (R)-(−)-1a/Hg(CF3SO3)2 and (R)-(+)-1b/Hg(CF3SO3)2 complexes are coordination polymers with CF3SO3 anion bridges, and the (R)-(+)-2b/Hg(CF3SO3)2 complex has a tricyclic structure bridged by CF3SO3 anions. Two different conformers, which have clockwise and counter-clockwise screw senses between the naphthalene axis and the pyridine axis, are observed in the ligand components of the (R)-(−)-2a/Hg(CF3SO3)2 complex. In contrast, the X-ray structures of the (R)-(−)-2a/HgCl2 and (R)-(+)-2b/HgCl2 complexes are one-dimensional coordination polymers without bridging Cl anions. The significant CD spectral changes in the HgX2 complexes with different chiral bidentate ligands require formation of rigid structures and a single-directional screw sense between chromophores.

Hg2+-sensing system based on structures of complexes

The first example of a new Hg(2+)-sensing system based on the structures of complexes is reported. The system uses a combination of a new chiral bidentate ligand and CD spectroscopy. Significant CD spectral changes are observed when Hg(2+) is added, whereas no CD spectral changes are observed in the cases of Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Mn(2+), Fe(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Rb(+), Ag(+), Cd(2+), La(3+), Gd(3+), and Pb(2+).

Novel phenyl(thio)ureas bearing (thio)oxothiazoline group as potential BACE-1 inhibitors: synthesis and biological evaluation

We report the synthesis and the β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme-1 inhibitory properties of novel phenyl(thio)ureas bearing 2-(thio)oxothiazoline derivatives. A library of analogues was prepared according to specific synthetic schemes and the inhibitory activity was monitored using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay. Several analogues show potent inhibitory activities ranging between 1 and 0.01 µM and the activity is related to the NH acidity of the (thio)urea motif. Our results illustrate once again the close relationship between molecular recognition, complexation of the active site in enzymatic system, and organocatalysis utilizing explicit hydrogen bonding.

A ferrocene-quinoxaline derivative as a highly selective probe for colorimetric and redox sensing of toxic mercury(II) cations

A new chemosensor molecule 3 based on a ferrocene-quinoxaline dyad recognizes mercury (II) cations in acetonitrile solution. Upon recognition, an anodic shift of the ferrocene/ferrocenium oxidation peaks and a progressive red-shift (Δλ = 140 nm) of the low-energy band, are observed in its absorption spectrum. This change in the absorption spectrum is accompanied by a colour change from orange to deep green, which can be used for a “naked-eye” detection of this metal cation.