2,5‐Thienylene‐Strapped [26]Hexaphyrin as Multifunctional Chemosensor for Hg2+, Cu2+, and F− Ions

The sensing behavior of 2,5‐thienylene‐bridged tetrakis(2,6‐dichlorophenyl)‐[26]hexaphyrin (2) towards various metal ions and anions were investigated by UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopies. Using this strapped hexaphyrin (2), the molecular sensor displayed highly selective and sensitive colorimetric responses to Cu2+ and Hg2+ in MeOH/THF. The spectral changes are distinctive enough in the visible region of the spectrum to enable naked‐eye detection. The detection limits of Cu2+ and Hg2+ using this chemo‐sensor in a mixed MeOH/THF solution were 1.978 and 1.283 μM, respectively, and 1.052 μM for F− in dichloromethane. Chemosensor 2,5‐thienylene strapped [26]hexaphyrin (2) shows absorption responses both a 1 : 1 molecular ratio for 2 interacting with Cu2+ and Hg2+ and a 1 : 2 ratio between 2 and F− ions.