Hexaphyrin(1.0.1.0.0.0). A new colorimetric actinide sensor

Hexaphyrin(1.0.1.0.0.0) (isoamethyrin) undergoes a significant color change in the presence of UO22+, PuO22+, and NpO22+. The complexation of the first of these dioxo actinide cations was studied in semi-quantitative fashion in 1:1 MeOH–CH2Cl2. Under these conditions, the detection limit for UO22+ was found to be ca. 5.8 ppm by naked eye monitoring and <28 ppb by UV–vis spectroscopy. Isoamethyrin does not undergo a color change in the presence of most transition metals or when exposed to Gd(III). Isoamethyrin thus constitutes an attractive alternative to 2,2′(1,8-dihydroxy-3,6-disulfonaphthylene-2,7-bisazo)-bisbenzenarsonic acid (AzIII) and 2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-(diethylamino)phenol (BrPADAP), systems currently used as actinide cation sensors.