A novel ferrocene-based thiacalix[4]arene ditopic receptor for electrochemical sensing of europium(III) and dihydrogen phosphate ions

We have synthesized a ferrocene-based 1,3-alternate thiacalix[4]arene ditopic receptor 3 that contains four identical polyether arms terminated with the ferrocene amide moieties. Our studies have revealed that this redox-active receptor can be used as an electrochemical sensor to recognize both europium (Eu3+) and dihydrogen phosphate (H2PO4-) ions with a high selectivity.