Acyclic and macrocyclic transition metal dithiocarbamate complexes containing imidazolium moieties for anion binding

Abstract

The synthesis of acyclic and macrocyclic transition metal dithiocarbamate complexes containing positively charged imidazolium moieties is reported. The assemblies have been characterised by a range of spectroscopic techniques and the ability of these compounds to bind various anions was also examined. UV–Vis spectroscopic binding studies revealed H 2 P O 4 - is complexed selectively in preference to F − and Cl − for the acyclic transition metal dithiocarbamate complexes containing the N-methylimidazolium moiety. Cyclic voltammetric studies demonstrated that the copper(II) dithiocarbamate imidazolium systems can electrochemically sense the binding of Cl − and H 2 P O 4 - .