Alberto Tárraga

A click-generated triazole tethered ferrocene-pyrene dyad for dual-mode recognition of the pyrophosphate anion.

The ferrocene-pyrene dyad 3 is able to selectively sense the pyrophosphate anion. The anion recognition was evaluated using electrochemistry, (1)H NMR, as well as fluorescence spectroscopy. The binding event can be inferred from either the redox-shift (DeltaE(1/2) = -100 mV) or the emission intensity ratio of the pyrene monomer to the excimer emission bands in both the neutral and oxidized forms of the receptor upon complexation.

Ferrocene-based heteroditopic receptors displaying high selectivity toward lead and mercury metal cations through different channels.

The synthesis and electrochemical, optical, and ion-sensing properties of ferrocene-imidazophenazine dyads are presented. Dyad 4 behaves as a highly selective chemosensor molecule for Pb(2+) cations in CH(3)-CN/H(2)O (9:1). The emission spectrum (λ(exc) = 317 nm) undergoes an important chelation-enhanced fluorescence effect (CHEF = 47) in the presence of Pb(2+) cations, a new low-energy band appeared at 502 nm, in its UV/vis spectrun, and the oxidation redox peak is anodically shifted (ΔE(1/2) = 230 mV). The presence of Hg(2+) cations also induced a perturbation of the redox potencial although in less extension than those found with Pb(2+) cations. Dyad 7, bearing two fused pyridine rings, has shown its ability for sensing Hg(2+) cations selectively through three channels: electrochemical, optical, and fluorescent; the oxidation redox peak is anodically shifted (ΔE(1/2) = 200 mV), a new low-energy band of the absorption spectrum appeared at 485 nm, and the emission spectrum (λ(exc) = 340 nm) is red-shifted by 32 nm accompanied by a remarkable chelation-enhanced fluorescent effect (CHEF = 165). Linear sweep voltammetry revealed that Cu(2+) cations induced oxidation of the ferrocene unit in both dyads. (1)H NMR studies have been carried out to obtain information about the molecular sites which are involved in the binding process.

A simple but effective dual redox and fluorescent ion pair receptor based on a ferrocene-imidazopyrene dyad.

The ferrocene-imidazopyrene dyad, bearing the imidazole ring as the only receptor site, acts as a redox and optical molecular sensor for ion pairs, exhibiting an easily detectable signal change in the redox potential of the ferrocene/ferrocinium redox couple and in the emission spectrum. Perturbation of the emission spectrum follows the order Pb(2+) > Hg(2+) > Zn(2+) for cations and H(2)PO(4)(-) > AcO(-) for anions.

A simple and robust reversible redox–fluorescence molecular switch based on a 1,4-disubstituted azine with ferrocene and pyrene units

Taking advantage of the properties of the ferrocene as a redox and electron donor active unit and the pyrene as a fluorescent unit, dyad 2 shows a fast and reversible redox-switchable fluorescence emission.

Synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepines via an Intramolecular Aza-Wittig reaction. Synthesis of the antibiotic DC-81

Abstract A new and efficient synthesis of the pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine ring system has been carried out using, as a key step, an intramolecular aza Wittig reaction of the appropriately substituted N-(2-azidobenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxaldehydes. The parent unsubstituted PBD 4 and the natural product DC-81 have been prepared in the imine form in good overall yields.

A bisferrocene-benzobisimidazole triad as a multichannel ditopic receptor for selective sensing of hydrogen sulfate and mercury ions.

The bisferrocene-benzobisimidazole triad behaves as a selective redox and fluorescent chemosensor for HSO(4)(-) and Hg(2+) ions, exhibiting an easily detectable signal change in both the redox potential of the ferrocene/ferrocinium redox couple and in the emission band which is red-shifted (Δλ = 10-13 nm) and enhanced in intensity (Chelation Enhanced Fluorescence, CHEF = 486-225) upon complexation with these ions, in EtOH solutions.

Ferrocene-Substituted Nitrogen-Rich Ring Systems as Multichannel Molecular Chemosensors for Anions in Aqueous Environment

The synthesis, electrochemical, optical, and anion sensing properties of ferrocene-fused imidazole dyads are presented. Ferrocene-benzobisimidazole dyad 1 behaves as a highly selective redox, chromogenic and fluorescent chemosensor molecule for AcO(-) anion in DMSO/H(2)O: the oxidation redox peak is cathodically shifted (DeltaE(1/2) = -170 mV), perturbation of the UV-vis spectrum, and the emission band is both red-shifted (Delta lambda = 13 nm) and increased (Chelation Enhanced Fluorescence, CHEF = 133) upon complexation with this anion. The related ferrocene-bisbenzimidazole dyad 2 has shown the ability for sensing both H(2)PO(4)(-) and HP(2)O(7)(3-) anions in the same medium. Upon complexation, it also displays a cathodic shift of the redox potential (DeltaE(1/2) = -90 to 80 mV), as well as a clear perturbation of the UV-vis spectrum and an increase in the intensity of the emission band (CHEF = 97-37). However, such magnitudes are smaller than those exhibited by 1. (1)H NMR studies have been carried out to obtain information about the molecular sites which are involved in the binding process.

A selective redox and chromogenic probe for Hg(II) in aqueous environment based on a ferrocene-azaquinoxaline dyad.

A new chemosensor molecule 4 based on a ferrocene-azaquinoxaline dyad effectively recognizes Hg(2+) in an aqueous environment as well as Pb(2+) and Zn(2+) metal cations in CH(3)CN solution through three different channels. Upon recognition, an anodic shift of the ferrocene/ferrocenium oxidation peaks and a progressive red shift (Deltalambda = 112-40 nm) of the low energy band, in their absorption spectra, is produced. These changes in the absorption spectra are accompanied by color changes from orange to deep green, for Hg(2+), and to purple in the cases of Pb(2+) and Zn(2+). Remarkably, the redox and colorimetric responses toward Hg(2+) are preserved in the presence of water (CH(3)CN/H(2)O, 3/7). The emission spectrum of 4 in CH(3)CN (lambda(exc) = 270 nm) undergoes important chelation enhancement of fluorescence (CHEF) in the presence of Hg(2+) (CHEF = 204), Pb(2+) (CHEF = 90), and Zn(2+) (CHEF = 184) metal cations. Along with the spectroscopic data, the combined (1)H NMR data of the complexes and the theoretical calculation suggest the proposed bridging coordination modes.

Heteroditopic ferrocene-based ureas as receptors for anions and cations

The synthesis of structurally new types of ferrocene-based ureas, in which the ferrocene moiety is simultaneously attached to two urea groups, have been prepared directly from 1,1-bis(isocyanato)ferrocene 1. Receptors 2a, 2b, and 2d show spectral and electrochemical anion-sensing capability for hydrogenphosphate and fluoride anions, in addition 2d also shows a sensing capability for acetate anion. Heteroditopic receptor 2a, bearing a pyridine binding site, does not complex Cu2+ cations but instead an intramolecular redox reaction takes place to give the oxidized form 2a+. The results obtained by using the heteroditopic receptor 2b, containing two crown ethers units, demonstrate that K+ cations can only be electrochemically detected in the presence of hydrogenphosphate anion. Whereas the new structural motif 2d, in which the two urea groups are part of the macrocycle framework, is a selective electrochemical sensor for Li+ cation in the presence of alkali metal ions. The preferred binding modes and their extent are proposed for the most representative complexes by means of DFT-based theoretical calculations.

Ferrocenylbenzobisimidazoles for Recognition of Anions and Cations

The preparation of 2,7-disubstituted benzobisimidazoles decorated with substituents displaying different electrooptical properties is described. The presence of redox, chromogenic, and fluorescent groups at the heteroaromatic core, which acts as ditopic binding site, made these receptors potential candidates as multichannel probes for ions. The triad 4 behaves as a selective redox and fluorescent chemosensor for HSO4(-) and Hg(2+) ions, whereas receptor 5 acts as a redox and chromogenic chemosensor molecule for AcO(-) and SO4(2-) anions. The change in the absorption spectra is accompanied by a color change from yellow to orange, while sensing of Zn(2+), Hg(2+), and Pb(2+) cations is carried out only by electrochemical techniques. Receptor 6 exhibits a remarkable cathodic shift of the oxidation wave only in the presence of AcO(-), H2PO4(-), and HP2O7(3-) anions, whereas addition of Pb(2+) induces an anodic shift. A new low energy band in the absorption spectra, which is responsible for the color change from colorless to pale yellow, and an important increase of the monomer emission band is observed only in the presence of H2PO4(-), and HP2O7(3-) anions. The most salient feature of the receptor 6 is its ability to act as a multichannel (redox, chromogenic, and fluorescent) chemodosimeter for Cu(2+), and Hg(2+) metal cations.