Anion recognition and redox sensing by a metalloporphyrin–ferrocene–alkylammonium conjugate

The synthesis and characterization of a novel redox molecular receptor is reported. This chemosensor is structured on a ferrocene fragment whose cyclopentadienyl moieties have been connected to distinct and complementary zinc porphyrin and alkylammonium binding sites, enabling multipoint recognition and detection of anionic species. Cumulative effects of multiple anchoring points on this ammonium–ferrocene–metalloporphyrin chemosensor allowed the unprecedented ferrocene-based voltammetric sensing of halide anions.