Double-armed crown ethers: Synergic π-coordination effect on potentiometric sensing for Ag(I)

Three diaza-18-crown-6 derivatives having methyl (L1), methoxy (L2) and phenyl (L3) end-groups in para-substituted phenolic side-arms have been investigated as potentiometric sensing materials for silver(I)-selective poly(vinyl chloride) membrane electrodes. The aim of the present work is to establish whether a combination of macrocyclic coordination to Ag+ ion and Ag-pi interaction might produce synergic effect in Ag+ ion sensing. The electrode based on the aromatic end-groups, L3 was found to give remarkably better electrochemical performance than their aliphatic counterparts (L1 and L2). The sensing ability for Ag+ ion with the proposed electrode was enhanced noticeably due to the pi-coordination of Ag+ ion, which was elucidated by NMR. The present findings may serve as an alternative approach for designing advanced sensing materials.