2-Ferrocenylimidazole-based multiresponsive receptors for Al3+, Cu2+, and H2PO4− ions: Effect of structural modification on the ion sensing performance

Two 2-ferrocenylimidazoles decorated with two pyridyl arms, 2-ferrocenyl-4,5-di(2-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole (L1) and 2-ferrocenyl-4,5-di(3-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole (L2), have been synthesized as potential multichannel ditopic receptors for cations and anions, owing to the presence of redox, chromogenic and fluorescent groups at the imidazole core. The structures of L1 and its Ag(I) complex (I) [L12·Ag2·(NO3)2] were further confirmed by X-ray crystal...