Ferrocene conjugated imidazolephenols as multichannel ditopic chemosensor for biologically active cations and anions

Two chemosensor molecules with the capability of sensing cations and anions have been synthesized by coupling an electroactive unit based on ferrocene and a sensor unit based on imidazolyl and phenol moieties through a linker. The two receptor molecules have been characterized crystallographically. The sensing of the cations or anions is achieved by monitoring the electrochemical wave or optical signal of the ferrocenyl moiety present in the molecule. Results of electrochemical and spectral titration of the chemosensors with cations and anions show that the response of the chemosensors to cations and anions can be tuned by changing the substituents in the phenolic ring.