Influence of Cation Size on the Fluorescent Properties of Bis-coronand Biphenyl-derived Complexes

Abstract

A new bis-coronand derived from biphenyl has been prepared and its complexing and sensing properties for alkaline, alkaline-earth and transition cations have been studied. Open and clamp complexes are formed depending on the cation size and complex stoichiometry. Both types of geometries can be distinguished due to their different fluorescent behaviour. Zn²⁺ gives rise to 1:1 and 1:2 complexes with a similar geometry.

Keywords:

• Sensing
• Fluorescence
• Conformational restriction
• Biphenyl

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the support from the Dirección General de Ciencia y Tecnología, project CTQ 2005-07562-C04-01, and Generalitat Valenciana, project GVACOMP2006-112. J.S. thanks the University of Valencia for a predoctoral fellowship. Finally, SCSIE (Universitat de València) is gratefully acknowledged for all the equipment employed.