title: Synthesis and fluorescence ion-sensory properties of the first dehydropyridoannulene-type cyclophane with enforced exotopic metal ion binding sites.
abstract: The new twistophane 4 has been synthesised, which comprises a conjugated dehydropyridoannulene-type macrocyclic scaffold with outwardly projecting nitrogen-donor sites for the purpose of metal ion coordination. The macrocyclíc structure of 4 was assigned by using spectroscopic methods, and shown to exist in a twisted and chiral ground state conformation by semi-empirical theoretical calculations. A detailed spectroscopic investigation into the metal ion binding properties of 4 and precursor 11 revealed that they functioned as selective complexants, affording a fluorescence quenching output response characteristic of Pd(II) and Hg(II) ions. Furthermore, 4 also signalled the presence of Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Ag(I) ions by the precipitation of coordination polymers, and exhibited reversible proton-triggered fluorescence quenching behaviour. Macrocycle 4 thus represents a unique type of molecular sensory platform, which may find a wealth of potential applications such as the detection of heavy-metal pollutants, as well as for the fabrication of proton-switchable materials and coordination polymers with novel electronic and magnetic properties.
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