Bisnitronyl nitroxides bridged by tetra(ethyleneoxy) sensing metal ions spectroscopically and electrochemically

Compound 1 containing two nitronyl nitroxide units bridged by tetra(ethyleneoxy) was designed and synthesized for sensing metal ions, by taking the features of nitronyl nitroxides: a chromophore showing absorption in visible range, reversible oxidation/reduction and coordination to metal ions. The absorption spectrum of 1 was altered markedly upon mixing with a few rare earth metal ions and some transition metal ions. Moreover, the oxidation potential of 1 was shifted to more positive range in the presence of metal ions including Pb2+, Ba2+, and Ca2+. Thus, compound 1 can sense metal ions both spectroscopically and electrochemically.