Applications of MN4 macrocyclic metal complexes in electroanalysis

Abstract

The rich and wide redox chemistry of N4 metal macrocyclic complexes allied to the several strategies for immobilizing them on the surface of different types of solids and electrode materials have opened innumerous possibilities of using these molecules as electron mediators in electrochemical devices. This chapter describes and discusses the main aspects related to the molecular anchoring of metallomacrocyclic complexes on the surface of inorganic solids (silica and carbon-based materials) and conventional electrodes through different types of chemical and physical interactions, as well as the application of these systems in the electroanalysis of compounds with technological, biological, and environmental interest. Particular attention was focused on the discussions of the properties and structure-activity relationships that have allowed designing materials with interesting sensing ability in distinct types of electrochemical interfaces and configurations, ranging from chemically modified electrodes with hybrid solid materials and thin films to a low-cost paper-based analytical device. Our emphasis was not to make comparisons between particular examples with respect to sensor performances, but rather to focus on the potentiality of N4 metal macrocyclic complexes to be applied in the design and development of platforms useful in electroanalysis, highlighting the diversity of support materials suitable for immobilizing the active redox mediator as well as the broad range of analytes that can be analyzed by electroanalytical methods.