Abstract
The main results from the work of the authors, concerning the use of mixed thia/aza medium sized macrocycles for the development of optically selective fluorescent chemosensors for toxic heavy metals, and luminescent gold(I) complexes will be discussed. Particular attention will be paid to underline both the role played by these macrocyclic ligands in determining the properties of the systems developed and the structure/function relationships observed.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
![](/cms/asset/af274c4e-2467-4c9e-99b6-76a6d6314e25/gpss_a_1603701_uf0001_c.jpg)
Acknowledgments
V.L thanks Fondazione di Sardegna (FdS) and Regione Atonoma della Sardegna (RAS) (Progetti Biennali Annualità 2016). J.M.L.-de-L. and M.E.O. thank the D.G.I. MINECO/FEDER (project number CTQ2016-75816-C2-2-P (AEI/FEDER, UE)).