A selective redox and chromogenic probe for Hg(II) in aqueous environment based on a ferrocene-azaquinoxaline dyad

A new chemosensor molecule 4 based on a ferrocene-azaquinoxaline dyad effectively recognizes Hg(2+) in an aqueous environment as well as Pb(2+) and Zn(2+) metal cations in CH(3)CN solution through three different channels. Upon recognition, an anodic shift of the ferrocene/ferrocenium oxidation peaks and a progressive red shift (Deltalambda = 112-40 nm) of the low energy band, in their absorption spectra, is produced. These changes in the absorption spectra are accompanied by color changes from orange to deep green, for Hg(2+), and to purple in the cases of Pb(2+) and Zn(2+). Remarkably, the redox and colorimetric responses toward Hg(2+) are preserved in the presence of water (CH(3)CN/H(2)O, 3/7). The emission spectrum of 4 in CH(3)CN (lambda(exc) = 270 nm) undergoes important chelation enhancement of fluorescence (CHEF) in the presence of Hg(2+) (CHEF = 204), Pb(2+) (CHEF = 90), and Zn(2+) (CHEF = 184) metal cations. Along with the spectroscopic data, the combined (1)H NMR data of the complexes and the theoretical calculation suggest the proposed bridging coordination modes.