Synthesis, complexation and spectrofluorometric studies of a new NS ₃ anthracene-containing macrocyclic ligand

A new fluorescent device for detecting protons and metal ions, 11-(9-anthracenylmethyl)-1,4,7-trithia-11-azacyclotetradecane (L), has been synthesised. In addition, the photophysical properties of both the free and protonated species have been examined by absorption and fluorescence titrations of dichloromethane solutions of L with methanesulfonic acid. The coordinating properties of L toward Pd^II, Zn^II, Ni^II and Co^II have been studied both in solution and in the solid state. Different behaviours have been observed in the absorption and fluorescence titrations of L with the above-mentioned transition-metal ions. To evaluate whether these differences were due to the existence of equilibria between protonated and complexed species, such titrations have been repeated in the presence of an equivalent amount of acid. The structure of the [Pd(L)](BF ₄)₂ complex has been solved by X-ray crystallography.