Selective detection of pyrophosphate by new tripodal amine calix[4]arene-based Cu(II) complexes using indicator displacement strategy

Mono- and dinuclear Cu(II) complexes of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (CuL1 and CuL2, respectively) were synthesized, and their anion recognition abilities were explored. Recognition is efficiently signaled through the displacement of pyrocatechol violet bound to the receptor. For CuL2, recognition selectivity is ascribed to the tuning of the distance between donor atoms of anion guests and their ability to encompass the Cu2+–Cu2+ distance within the cleft of CuL2. In addition, the preorganization of calix[4]arene in the cone conformation and steric hindrance of two bulky tripodal amine moieties are important factors in controlling the Cu2+–Cu2+ distance. These factors caused CuL2 to recognize pyrophosphate selectively with respect to other inorganic anions in 80/20 (v/v%) MeCN/H2O solution buffered with 10 mM HEPES at pH 6.4.