Ferrocene Macrocyclic Schiff Base Complex: Synthesis, Structure and Recognition Properties for Dual Hg2+ and Cu2+

Abstract

A probe based on ferrocene structure has been designed, synthesized and elucidated from the single crystal X-ray method. It demonstrated fluorescence response to Hg²⁺ and Cu²⁺ in CH₃OH. The results indicated that the title complex could be applied in the multianalyte detection. Binding ability of receptor 3 in CH₃OH was tested for various cations (Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Ba²⁺ in water). The computed binding constants for Hg²⁺ and Cu²⁺ indicated a distinct absorbance shift. The receptor is an attractive array due to its distinct absorbance shift profile in a semi-aqueous phase, making it applicable in biology, environmental sciences and material chemistry.