Terpyridine-Functionalized Calixarenes: Synthesis, Characterization and Anion Sensing Applications

Area of Science:

• Supramolecular Chemistry
• Coordination Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Calix[4]arene derivatives functionalized with terpyridine groups offer versatile platforms for metal ion chelation.
• Lanthanide complexes are known for their unique photophysical properties, including luminescence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize novel lanthanide complexes with a terpyridine-functionalized calix[4]arene ligand.
• To investigate the photophysical properties of these complexes.
• To evaluate their potential as anion sensors.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of ligand via amide coupling and metallation with lanthanide triflate salts (Tb3+ and Eu3+).
• Characterization using NMR (1H, 13C), UV-vis, fluorescence spectroscopy, and Mass Spectrometry (MS).
• Photophysical property analysis and anion binding studies.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis of Tb(III) and Eu(III) complexes.
• Complexes exhibited high molar absorptivity, modest quantum yields, and millisecond luminescence lifetimes.
• Anion binding induced significant changes in photophysical properties.
• The Tb(III) complex demonstrated responsiveness to various anions with large binding constants.

Conclusions:

• The developed lanthanide complexes are effective anion sensors.
• The terpyridine-functionalized calix[4]arene ligand facilitates the creation of luminescent lanthanide-based sensors.
• These sensors show promise for detecting anions through changes in luminescence.