An abiotic receptor and its Cu(II) complex as selective 'turn-off' chemosensor for bisulfate ion

The ligand 2,6-bis[(N-phenyl)amido]-4-methylphenol (receptor 1) and its copper(II) complex (receptor 2) having amide moiety have been designed and synthesized for selective sensing of anions. The anion recognition behavior of the receptor 1 and its copper complex (receptor 2) has been studied in acetonitrile. Quenching of fluorescence was observed for both receptors in presence of HSO4(-) anion whereas other physiologically and environmentally important anions such as F(-), Cl(-), Br(-), I(-), CN(-), OAc(-), HCO₃(-), H₂PO₄(-), NO₃(-), NO₂(-) and SO₄(2-) show fluorescence enhancement behavior. The sensing protocol has been studied both spectrophotometrically as well as spectrofluorometrically. Fluorescence quenching is suggested to proceed via both dynamic and static processes.