Ferrocene-containing macrocyclic triazoles for the electrochemical sensing of dihydrogen phosphate anion

• Cyclic and acyclic ferrocene-containing triazoles were synthesized.
• All receptors show distinctive electrochemical sensing of H2PO4−.
• The binding mechanism was investigated by 1H NMR spectrum and DFT calculation.

Two novel ferrocene-containing macrocyclic triazoles (L1 and L2) and their acyclic analogs (L3 and L4) were easily prepared by “click” reaction. The anions binding abilities of L1–L4 were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry methods. The results revealed that the receptors L1–L4 have exclusive electrochemical sensing of H2PO4−, with the shift in redox potentials of L1–L4 towards the cathodic values. The binding mechanisms between the receptors and H2PO4− were examined by 1H NMR titrations and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Two new ferrocene-containing macrocyclic triazoles and their acyclic compared compounds for electrochemical sensing of H2PO4− are reported.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide