Synthesis, Fluorescence and NMR Spectroscopic Studies of a Novel Phosphinoxido-18-crown-6 Ether Containing an Anthracene Fluorophore Unit

The synthesis of the (R,R) and (S,S) enantiomers of a new enantiopure monophospha-18-crown-6 ether (1), which contains an anthracene fluorophore unit and methyl groups at its stereogenic centers, was accomplished. The structure of one enantiomer ((S,S)-1) was studied using one-dimensional (1H, 13C{1H}, and 31P{1H}) and two-dimensional NMR spectra. Because (R,R)-1 and (S,S)-1 can act as new fluorescent chemosensors, we examined their enantiomeric differentiation abilities toward the enantiomers of protonated chiral primary amines and amino acid esters (PEA, 1-NEA, PGME, PAME) using UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopies. These monophospha-crown ethers showed moderate enantiomeric discrimination abilities.