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Updated: Jan 28, 2026

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Published on: May 28, 2014
Enantiospecific Optical Sensing of Terpenes by an Aggregated Atropisomeric Platinum(II) Complex
Annika Huber1, Alessandro Prescimone1, Christof Sparr1
1Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, St. Johanns-Ring 19, Basel, 4056, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Terpenes are unfunctionalized small volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are naturally abundant, relevant to climate change, and impose potential health risks. Herein, we report a conceptually novel approach for the enantiospecific recognition of terpenes and other VOCs based on a square planar platinum(II) complex with an atropisomeric ligand. This molecular design results in chiral aggregated nanostructures caused by weak π-π- and metal-metal interactions with characteristic UV-vis absorption bands. Distinct UV-vis absorption changes are induced by weak intermolecular interactions with the enantiomers of diverse VOCs (2-butanol, 1-phenylethanol, α-pinene, and limonene) leading to perturbations of the chiral aggregates. This allows an enantiospecific, reversible detection of VOCs by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy in nonpolar solution. The study provides a new working principle for enantiospecific recognition with artificial optoelectronic noses, which are particularly promising for determining the enantiomers of unfunctionalized volatile organics.
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