Anion sensing properties of new colorimetric chemosensors based on macrocyclic ligands bearing three nitrophenylurea groups

Two new colorimetric ligands (1–2) based on macrocyclic structures linked to three nitrophenylurea groups were synthesized in good yields, and their responses toward anions were studied. Anions with different shape, such as of fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, hydroxide, nitrate, perclhorate, cyanide, or dihydrogen phosphate in DMSO solution were added and only fluoride, hydroxide, cyanide, and dihydrogen phosphate enhances π delocalization and shifts the π–π∗ transition in both ligands, leading to the generation of a pleasant orange color.The result is a balance between the acidity of the nitrophenylurea-NH donors modulated by the basic character of the anions. Stability constants for both receptors and the anions fluoride, hydroxide, cyanide, and dihydrogen phosphate were determined spectrophotometrically using the program HYSPEC. 1H NMR titrations experiments with fluoride were carried out.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide