A new iminocoumarin based receptor L (C(27)H(26)N(4)OS) is synthesized with pyridyl and benzothiazolyl functionality. Synthesis of L is easy and it is isolated in good yield. L shows a selective and distinct color change from yellow to orange with Cu(2+) over Li(+), Na(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Cr(2+), Mn(2+), Fe(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), Pb(2+), and Ag(+) whereas a slight change in color is also observed in the case of Hg(2+) but L shows selective fluorescent quenching only in the presence of Cu(2+) in aqueous HEPES buffer (pH 7.0). The naked eye detection limit of Cu(2+) is determined at 2 μM whereas an emission experiment shows a lower detection limit at 200 nM. Selectivity studies of L in presence of 50 equivalents of other ion(s) by emission experiment show no interference toward the detection of 1 equivalent of Cu(2+). Both UV-Vis and fluorescence studies in the presence of Cu(2+)-salts of different counter anions with various sizes and shapes (Cl(-), ClO(4)(-), NO(3)(-), CF(3)SO(3)(-), SO(4)(2-) and BF(4)(-)) show almost similar spectral output in buffer media irrespective of the nature of the counter anions. The detailed UV-Vis and fluorescence titration experiments suggest the existence of both 1:1 and 2:1 (L:Cu(2+)) complexation stoichiometry and EPR study shows d(x(2)-y(2)) ground state of the Cu(II) centre in the complex. Furthermore the formation of a mononuclear [Cu(L)(CH(3)CN)].2ClO(4) complex and the flexible conformation of L in the solid state are confirmed by the single-crystal X-ray structural study.

We report on mechanically linked polymers containing a single catenane in the middle of the chain. These polymers were synthesized by a simple procedure consisting in “clicking” polymer chains onto a functionalized palladium-templated [2]­catenane, allowing the preparation of a variety of mechanically linked polymers. The flexibility of the catenane junction was modulated by removing the Pd ion from the catenane to unlock the macrocycles and increase their mobility. We show that this mobility change has a strong impact on the solid-state properties of the polymers. This is illustrated by studying the glass transition temperature of polystyrene-based polymers and the crystallization behavior of poly­(ethylene oxide)-based polymers. Our study proves that a change of flexibility of a single catenane inserted into a polymer chain drastically influences the polymer behavior in the solid state.

A series of new symmetrically functionalized guanidinium chlorides (S1-S10) are synthesized in good yields and their sensing ability toward anions is studied in MeCN-DMF (24 : 1) (v/v). The absorption bands of these molecules in the presence of anions are tuned by varying the functional groups attached to the guanidinium moiety (which resembles urea) with respect to (i) aromaticity (S1-S4), (ii) electron induction effect (S1, S5-S9), (iii) positional isomeric effect (S7-S9), (iv) indole functionality (S10) of the conjugated aryl units. Anions that are above Cl(-) in the Hofmeister series (F(-), AcO(-), H(2)PO(4)(-)) are eligible as an analyte in this series of molecules whereas less basic anions than Cl(-) do not cause any interference. Thus, this series of molecules are suitable for the detection of anions in the narrow window of the Hofmeister series. Out of all the anions, only fluoride causes vivid colour changes from yellow to red to reddish orange and finally to blue, irrespective of the increasing aromaticity, induction and positional isomeric effect of the substituent that is attached to the guanidinium moiety. Interestingly, S9 has shown the ability to sense distinctly both F(-) and AcO(-) colourimetrically. Further S10, a sensor attached with indole functionality shows selective sensing of F(-) colourimetrically with a NIR signature at ∼930 nm though both these outputs are very unstable in nature. Stability constants for complex formation of S1-S10 (except S5) with F(-), AcO(-) are calculated by UV-vis titration experiments. Finally single crystal X-ray structural studies on the species 1 formed upon treating S6 with sodium fluoride confirms -NH deprotonation, whereas the reaction of S6 and S2 with sodium benzoate shows 1:1 host:guest binding that results in complexes 2 and 3 respectively.

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The pyrazole-based hexa-host receptor showed the preference of an unusual conformation via 1:1 hydrogen bonding with ammonium hexafluorophosphate over steric gearing. Two different unusual conformers of the receptor are also isolated upon complexation with Cu(2+) and Cd(2+) ions.