Anion recognition by novel ruthenium(II) bipyridyl calix[4]arene receptor molecules

Abstract

Exotic calix[4]arene mono- and di-topic anion receptors containing one and two ruthenium(II) bipyridyl moieties have been prepared and shown by ¹H NMR and CV to bind and electrochemically recognise halide, dihydrogen phosphate and hydrogen sulphate anions. The monotopic calix[4]arene anion receptor 8 selectively electrochemically recognises H₂PO₄^– in the presence of tenfold excess amounts of HSO₄^– and Cl^–.