The first report of X-ray characterized organosilatrane-based receptors for the electrochemical analysis of Al3+ ions

Abstract

The present work reports for the first time the preparation of aryl–alkyl ether functionalized silatrane for the selective recognition of Al³⁺ ions using the cyclic voltammetry technique. The synthesis was achieved through a condensation reaction followed by transesterification methodology to obtain organosilatranes in good yields. The prepared compounds were well characterized by IR, NMR (¹H and ¹³C) and mass spectral analysis and the structure of one of the molecules was further confirmed by X-ray crystallography, which showed a triclinic crystal system with a P space group. The electrochemical behaviour was studied by employing square wave voltammetry (SWV) using a gold electrode to investigate the receptor action of the synthesized organosilatranes. A detection limit of 48.9 nM and competitive binding results suggest the significant receptor potential of organosilatranes for the detection of Al³⁺ ions. Moreover, the real time application of the prepared sensors was confirmed by the determination of Al³⁺ ions in tea leaves.