title: Twistophane macrocyles with integrated 6,6'-connected-2,2'-bipyridine units: a new lead class of fluorescence sensors for metal ions.
abstract: The new twistophane macrocycles 2 and 3 have been synthesised; these compounds are composed of a cyclically conjugated dehydrobenzoannulene framework that incorporates 6,6'-connected-2,2'-bipyridine moieties for the purpose of coordinating metal ions. The cyclophanes were characterised by spectroscopic techniques, and shown by molecular mechanics calculations to be helically twisted and chiral molecules that may exist in several possible ground state conformations. UV/vis spectroscopic studies revealed that 2, 3 and precursor 9 bind with different selectivities to particular members of the following small group of metal analytes: CuII, AgI, HgII, Tl1 and PdII. Significantly, 2, 3 and 9 signal the presence of CuII ions through fluorescence emission quenching output responses. Furthermore, cyclophane 3 exhibited a particularly sensitive protontriggered chromogenic fluorescence response. With respect to their unique structural features, high analyte selectivity coupled with their enhanced and characteristic fluorescence emission responses, these molecules are among the first examples representing a new lead class of chemosensory materials. Compounds 2, 3 and 9 and derivatives thereof may, therefore, be expected to find many future applications in the detection of metal-based environmental pollutants, biologically important trace elements and monitoring proton fluxes.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Chimie Supramoléculaire Institut Le Bel, Université Louis Pasteur 4 rue Blaise Pascal, 67000 Strasbourg, France. pbaxter@chimie.u-strasbg.fr
authors.forename: Paul N W
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Baxter