Unprecedented ferrocene–quinoline conjugates: facile proton conduction via 1D helical water chains and a selective chemosensor for Zn(ii) ions in water

Abstract

Two novel ferrocene–quinoline derivatives 3 (C₂₂H₁₉O₂N₃Fe) and 4 (C₃₄H₂₈O₄N₆Fe) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Compound 3 exhibits good proton conductivity through 1D helical water chains. In addition, both compounds 3 and 4 selectively detect Zn²⁺ ions in water with a detection limit of 2 ppb through multiple channels.