Supramolecular recognition of a CWA simulant by metal–salen complexes: the first multi-topic approach

Abstract

Sensing of chemical warfare agents is today an important target, mainly due to the international scenario. Here a new approach, based on supramolecular multi-topic recognition of dimethyl methylphosphonate, a simulant of chemical warfare agents, is reported. These receptors, based on metal–salen complexes, combine their abilities to establish Lewis acid–base interactions and hydrogen bonds and pave the way for the realization of a new class of supramolecular sensors for the non-covalent recognition of chemical warfare agent simulants.