Synthesis and fluorescence spectroscopy of bis(orthoand para-carbonyl)phenyl glycols

Bis-(2ʹ- or 4ʹ-carbonyl)phenyl glycols (podands) were synthesized by reacting ortho- and para-vanillin and 2ʹ- and 4ʹ-hydroxy acetophenone with mono or diethylene glycol dihalides. The products were characterised using IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Aromatic carbonyl derivatives of glycols were investigated to determine the role of Na+ ions, using steady state fluorescence spectroscopy.