The first report of X-ray characterized organosilatrane-based receptors for the electrochemical analysis of Al3+ ions

The present work reports for the first time the preparation of aryl–alkyl ether functionalized silatrane for the selective recognition of Al3+ ions using the cyclic voltammetry technique. The synthesis was achieved through a condensation reaction followed by transesterification methodology to obtain organosilatranes in good yields. The prepared compounds were well characterized by IR, NMR (1H and 13C) and mass spectral analysis and the structure of one of the molecules was further confirmed by X-ray crystallography, which showed a triclinic crystal system with a P space group. The electrochemical behaviour was studied by employing square wave voltammetry (SWV) using a gold electrode to investigate the receptor action of the synthesized organosilatranes. A detection limit of 48.9 nM and competitive binding results suggest the significant receptor potential of organosilatranes for the detection of Al3+ ions. Moreover, the real time application of the prepared sensors was confirmed by the determination of Al3+ ions in tea leaves.