Supramolecular metal ion sensing using luminophoric labels based on ruthenium(II) bis-terpyridine and tris-bipyridine scaffoldings

Two unique systems are described where modification of the photophysical pr operties is observed in the presence of an adventitious cation. In the firs t system an enhancement of the emission properties of linear ruthenium(II) bis-terpyridine bearing a central chelating centre is found. In the second system restoration of the emissive properties of the chromophore is observe d due to a conformation control of intramolecular electron transfer in a ca lix[4]quinone bearing an appended ruthenium(II) tris-bipyridine chromophore .