Imidazolium functionalised acyclic ruthenium(ii) bipyridyl receptors for anion recognition and luminescent sensing

Abstract
New imidazolium functionalised ruthenium(II) bipyridyl receptors have been synthesised and shown to recognise chloride, bromide, dihydrogenphosphate and ATP anions in mixed polar organic–aqueous solutions via luminescence spectroscopy. In 90 : 10 acetonitrile–water solution a combined amide–imidazolium ruthenium(II) bipyridyl receptor exhibits chloride anion selectivity. The imidazolium-containing receptors also sense ATP in 50 : 50 acetonitrile–water solvent media.