Synthesis of ferrocene- and azobenzene-based compounds for anion recognition

Abstract

A series of ferrocene- and azobenzene-based compounds with acyl amine groups attached were designed and synthesized to explore their potential application in anion recognition. Their electro- and photo-properties, and the effect of nitro and amine substituents of the benzene ring on anion recognition were studied by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy (UV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The results showed that a nitro group substituent has a positive effect on the binding affinity and sensitivity, which might be due to the strong hydrogen bonding interaction between the receptor and the guest, while an amino group substituent has a negative effect on the sensitivity. Furthermore, the shift in the UV-vis absorption spectra was observed as a color change, which can be used for the naked-eye detection of F− and H2PO4−.