ELECTROCHEMICAL RESPONSE TO ANIONS IN ACETONITRILE BY NEUTRAL MOLECULAR RECEPTORS CONTAINING FERROCENE, AMIDE AND AMINE MOIETIES

Voltammetric and NMR investigations of anion binding by neutral ferroc ene-based receptors have been performed in aprotic environments. NMR s tudies show that the amide functionalised ligands are capable of inter action with a variety of anions, including chloride, hydrogensulfate a nd dihydrogenphosphate anions. Stability constants were elucidated whe re possible. Electrochemical studies highlight a characteristic behavi our of ferrocene in the presence of dihydrogenphosphate anion. In addi tion, electrochemical recognition of anions by the functionalised rece ptors is observed. Trends in selectivity are rationalised with referen ce to the functional groups available at the proposed binding sites.