Metal cation-induced multifluorescence of azacrown-substituted (tetrafluorophenyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine

Abstract

ortho-Azacrown-substituted (tetrafluorophenyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine (2) in an acetonitrile solution emits 380 nm light in the presence of Li þ cation and emits 460 nm light in the presence of Zn 2þ , Mg 2þ or H þ cation. In contrast, para-azacrownsubstituted analogue (1) emits three different fluorescent lights responding to Li þ , Zn 2þ or H þ cation, respectively; 388 nm light to Li þ cation, 433 nm light to Zn 2þ cation or 469 nm light to H þ cation.