The anion binding properties of neutral receptors bearing nitro group, phenanthroline or ruthenium(II) metal

A series of neutral cyclohexadiamine anion receptors containing nitro, phenanthroline or ruthenium(II) have been designed and synthesized. Their u.v.-vis spectroscopy investigations reveal that the receptor bearing nitro group displays the strongest affinities for F^sup -^, AcO^sup -^, H^sub 2^PO ^sub 4^ ^sup -^ and can be used as an efficient detection tool for the above anions. Results indicate that the anion affinities can be enhanced through appending nitro group and ruthenium(II) metal compared with phenanthroline moiety.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]