AND/NOT Sensing of Fluoride and Cyanide Ions by Ferrocene‐Derivatised Lewis Acids

Abstract

A simple two-component sensor system was developed, featuring the strongly Lewis acidic (but air-stable) FcRBMes2 (1: FcR=(η5-C5H4)Fe(η5-C5R5), R=H, Me; Mes=2,4,6-Me3C6H2), which can be shown to bind both fluoride AND cyanide in solution (but not other anions), and the weaker boronic ester Lewis acid FcRB(OR)2 (2: (OR)2=R,R-OC(H)PhC(H)PhO), which signals the presence of fluoride but NOT cyanide in solution. By coupling the electrochemical shifts with a suitable redox-active tetrazolium dye, a colorimetric AND/NOT sensor system for fluoride and cyanide ions can be developed (see picture). Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2111/2008/z801381_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.