Synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical properties of ferrocenylimidazolium

A series of ferrocene-based methylimidazolium receptors were prepared and their electrochemical properties of sensing the various anions, the dependence of alkyl chain length, were investigated by voltammetry technologies. All of these ferrocenylimidazolium compounds were fully characterized by elemental analysis, NMR and mass spectrometry. Moreover, the structures of ferrocene-based methylimidazolium receptors 1a, 1b, 2b, and 3b were confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The ferrocenylimidazolium 1a and 2a receptors in which the ferrocene center and methylimidazolium fragments are directly linked showed redox waves for both the ferrocenyl moiety and the methylimidazolium moiety and exhibited rather strong electrochemical sensing properties for F− anion.

Graphical abstractA series of ferrocene-based methylimidazolium receptors were prepared and their electrochemical properties of sensing the various anions, the dependence of alkyl chain length, were investigated by voltammetry technologies.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Synthesis of 1,1′-bis(N-imidazole)ferrocene and dimethyl 1,1′-bis(N-imidazolium)ferrocene hexafluorophosphate 2a. ► The electrochemical anion-sensing properties were investigated. ► The ferrocenylimidazolium 1a and 2a receptors exhibited rather strong electrochemical anion sensing properties for F−.