Formation Of 3a Research Articles

Spin Crossover Quenching by "Racemization" in a Family of trans-1,2-Di(tetrazol-1-yl)cyclopentane-Based Fe(II) 1D Coordination Polymers.

Optically pure (RR)- and racemic (RR/SS)-trans-1,2-di(tetrazol-1-yl)cyclopentane were synthesized and used to prepare homo- and heterochiral Fe(II) coordination compounds. [Fe((RR/SS)-C7H10N8)2(CH3CN)2](BF4)2 (1A), [Fe((RR/SS)-C7H10N8)2(C2H5CN)2](BF4)2 (2A), [Fe((RR)-C7H10N8)2(CH3CN)2](BF4)2·2CH3CN (1B·solv), and [Fe((RR)-C7H10N8)2(C2H5CN)2](BF4)2 (2B) form a family of one-dimensional coordination polymers. Fe(II) cations in these complexes are characterized by a heteroleptic coordination environment: the neighboring metal centers are bridged by two 1,2-di(tetrazol-1-yl)cyclopentane molecules, while the nitrile molecules (acetonitrile or propionitrile, respectively) occupy the axial positions. Independently of the kind of nitrile coligands, an ability to thermally induce spin crossover (SCO) is governed by chirality. 1B·solv and 2B exhibit abrupt and complete SCO occurring at T1/2 = 144 K and T1/2 = 228 K, respectively. Desolvated form, 1B (of the same stoichiometry as 2B), also exhibits SCO (T1/2 = 215 K). In contrast, an exchange within the polymeric chain of half of the RR molecules with the SS enantiomeric form results in formation of 1A and 2A, which remain in stable high-spin (HS) form down to 10 K. It has been shown that moving from a homochiral to a heterochiral system changes the structure of the polymeric unit (while maintaining the same polymer dimensionality and bridging fashion) that leads to the deep reorganization of the further coordination spheres, including the anion network.

S-Shaped Fused Azacorannulene Dimer: Structural and Redox Properties

S-Shaped Fused Azacorannulene Dimer: Structural and Redox Properties

A base-controlled switch of SO2 reincorporation in photocatalyzed radical difunctionalization of alkenes

A base-controlled switch of SO2 reincorporation in photocatalyzed radical difunctionalization of alkenes

External Photocatalyst-Free Visible Light-Promoted 1,3-Addition of Perfluoroalkyl Iodides to Vinyldiazoacetates

External Photocatalyst-Free Visible Light-Promoted 1,3-Addition of Perfluoroalkyl Iodides to Vinyldiazoacetates

Tertiary amines as vinyl source for the formations of aryl or pyrrole ring on amido‐substitued 1,4‐quinone with the assistance of palladium salt

AbstractThe one‐pot synthesis of 3‐isopropyl‐6‐methyl‐1H‐benzo[f]indole‐4,9‐dione (3e), N‐(4‐[isopentylamino]‐3,6‐dioxocyclohexa‐1,4‐dien‐1‐yl)acetamide (4d), 2‐(isopentylamino)‐6‐methylnaphthalene‐1,4‐dione (5b), and 2‐(4‐acetamido‐3,6‐dioxocyclohexa‐1,4‐dien‐1‐yl)‐N,N‐diisopentyl‐3‐methylbutanamide (6a) has been achieved via either pyrrol/aryl ring formations or amination reactions from the Pd(II)‐catalyzed reaction of N‐(3,6‐dioxocyclohexa‐1,4‐dien‐1‐yl)acetamide (2a_BQ) and in the presence of triisopentylamine. More 3‐, 4‐, 5‐, and 6‐like derivatives were obtained while other trialkylamines were used. Crystal structures of 3d_O, 3e, 4b, 4c, 4d, 5b, and 6a were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction methods. The 3‐ and 5‐like products reveal the formations of newly generated benzene rings with/without substitutions. The formation of 6a also implies an unusual reaction pathway of its generation. Based on the structural conformations of various 3‐like products, as well as 6a, mechanisms were proposed to account for the formations of these compounds. Various fascinating conformations of products observed in this work demonstrate the diversities of this type of reactions.

A self-hydrosilylation of phosphanylhydrosilylalkynes promoted by B(C6F5)3? An experimental and mechanistic study.

Phosphanylhydrosilylalkynes Me2HSiC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CPAr2 (Ar = Ph, 1a; 4-MeC6H4, 1b) were synthesized, which reacted with B(C6F5)3 to produce alkenes [(E)-(C6F5)3BCH[double bond, length as m-dash]C(PAr2)SiMe2]2 (2a and 2b) and (Z)-(C6F5)2BCH[double bond, length as m-dash]C(PAr2)SiMe2(C6F5) (3a and 3b). The formation of 2a (or 2b) involved a Wrackmeyer's SiHMe2 migration followed by Si-H addition across the C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C bond, whereas, that of 3a (or 3b) involved a similar mechanism with a further C6F5 migration. The B(C6F5)3-promoted reaction of the Si-centered geminal H and C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C groups is thus realized, which may be considered as a self-hydrosilylation. Mechanistic studies by both variable temperature NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations were accomplished.

Controlled Dissociation of Iron and Cyclopentadienyl from a Diiron Complex with a Bridging C3 Ligand Triggered by One-Electron Reduction

The one-electron reduction of a diiron cationic complex revealed unique features: cleavage of the diiron structure occurred despite a multidentate bridging C3 ligand and was accompanied by the clean dissociation of one η5-cyclopentadienyl ring and one iron as isolated units. Thus, the iron(II)-iron(II) μ-vinyliminium complex [Fe2Cp2(CO)(μ-CO){μ-η1:η3-C3(Et)C2HC1N(Me)(Xyl)}][SO3CF3] ([1a]SO3CF3) reacted with cobaltocene in tetrahydrofuran (THF), affording the iron(II) vinylaminoalkylidene [FeCp(CO){C1N(Me)(Xyl)C2HC3(Et)C(═O)}] (2a) in 77% yield relative to the C3 ligand. Analogously, [FeCp(CO){C1N(Me)(Xyl)C2HC3(CH2OH)C(═O)}] (2b) was obtained in 64% yield from the appropriate diiron precursor and CoCp2. The formation of 2a is initiated by the one-electron reduction of [1a]+, followed by a reversible intramolecular rearrangement terminating with the irreversible release of CpH (NMR and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) and Fe [electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and magnetometry]. The key intermediate iron(I) ferraferrocene (3) was detected by EPR and IR spectroelectrochemistry, while the related species 3-H-3 was isolated after the addition of a hydrogen source and then identified by X-ray diffraction. A plausible mechanism for the route from [1a]+ to 3 was ascertained by density functional theory calculations. The dication [1a]2+, displaying both carbonyl ligands in terminal positions, and the anion [3]- were electrochemically generated. The functionalized diiron compounds 4 (52% yield) and 5 (62%) were afforded through the activation of O2 and S8 by a radical intermediate along the reductive pathway of [1a]+. The reaction of [Fe2Cp2(CO)(μ-CO){μ-η1:η3-C(SiMe3)CHCN(Me)(Xyl)}][SO3CF3] ([1c]SO3CF3) with CoCp2 in THF afforded [Fe2Cp2(C≡CSiMe3)(CO)(μ-CO){μ-CNMe(Xyl)}] (6) in 65% yield.

B-H Bond Activation by an Amidinate-Stabilized Amidosilylene: Non-Innocent Amidinate Ligand.

The activation of B-H and B-Cl bonds in boranes by base-stabilized low-valent silicon compounds is described. The reaction of the amidinato amidosilylene-borane adduct [L{Ar(Me3Si)N}SiBH3] [1; L = PhC(N tBu)2, and Ar = 2,6- iPr2C6H3] with MeOTf in toluene at room temperature formed [L{Ar(Me3Si)N}SiBH2OTf] (2). [LSiN(SiMe3)Ar] in compound 2 then underwent a B-H bond activation with BH2OTf in refluxing toluene to afford the B-H bond activation product [LB(H)Si(H)(OTf){N(SiMe3)Ar}] (3). On the other hand, when compound 2 was reacted with 4-dimethylaminopyridine in refluxing toluene, another B-H bond activation product [(μ-κ1:κ1-L)B(H)(DMAP)Si(H){N(Ar)SiMe3}]OTf (4) was afforded. Mechanistic studies show that "(μ-κ1:κ1-L)B(H)(OTf)Si(H){N(Ar)SiMe3}" (2A) is the key intermediate in the reactions mentioned above. The formation of 2A is further evidenced by the activation of the B-Cl bond in PhBCl2 by the amidinato silicon(I) dimer [LSi:]2 to form the B-Cl bond activation product [(μ-κ1:κ1-L)B(Cl)(Ph)Si(Cl)]2 (6). Compounds 2-4 and 6 were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography.

Synthesis and characterization of unique new lithium, sodium and potassium coordination polymers

Abstract Five new alkali metal coordination compounds [Li(NPG)](1a), [Na(NPG)2]⋅2H2O(2a), [C8H5KO4](3a), [Li(NPA)2H2O](1b) and [Na(NPA)2](2b) wherein (NPG = N-phthaloyl glycine, NPA = N-phthaloyl-s-alanine) have been synthesized and characterized by means of X ray single crystal analysis, Infrared spectroscopy (IR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Florescence spectroscopy. The compounds 1a, 2a, 3a and 2b showed metal directed self-assembly supramolecular network structures. The crystal structure of compounds 1a and 1b showed distorted tetrahedral geometry with coordination number 4 around lithium. The carboxylate coordination modes were η2µ3and η1µ1 in 1a and 1b respectively. The compounds 2a and 2b exhibited distorted octahedral geometry with coordination number 6 around sodium. The carboxylate coordination mode in 2a and 2b is η2µ2. The objective was to synthesize potassium complex [K(NPG)], but N-phthaloyl glycine was hydrolysed due to exothermic reaction in the presence of strong base, resulted, the formation of 3a. The multiple coordination modes of alkali metal ions to the carboxylate and ring carbonyl oxygen atoms of NPG and NPA produced unique three dimensional architectures. The compounds 1b and 2b showed two strong fluorescence emissions enhancement (blue emission maxima) with greater intensity comparative to NPA, while the compounds 1a and 2a showed two weak fluorescence emissions with less intensity comparative to ligand (NPG). The base hydrolysis of NPG with in the compound 3a resulted the change of ligand based fluorochrome, which produced different shape emission spectrum as compared to other compounds.

Enhanced laccase-mediated transformation of diclofenac and flufenamic acid in the presence of bisphenol A and testing of an enzymatic membrane reactor

The inadequate removal of pharmaceuticals and other micropollutants in municipal wastewater treatment plants, as evidenced by their detection of these substances in the aquatic environment has led to the need for sustainable remediation strategies. Laccases possess a number of advantages including a broad substrate spectrum. To identify promoting or inhibitory effects of reaction partners in the remediation processes we tested not only single compounds—as has been described in most studies—but also mixtures of pollutants. The reaction of diclofenac (DCF) and flufenamic acid (FA), mediated by Trametes versicolor laccase resulted in the formation of products, which were more hydrophilic than the respective reactant (reactant concentration of 0.1 mM; laccase activity 0.5 U/ml). Analyses (HPLC, LC/MS) showed that the product 1a and 1b for DCF and FA, respectively, to be a para-benzoquinone imine derivative. The formation of 1a was enhanced by the addition of bisphenol A (BPA). After 6 days 97% more product was formed in the mixture of DCF and BPA compared with DCF tested alone. Product 1a was also detected in experiments with micropollutant-supplemented secondary effluent. Within 24 h 67% and 100% of DCF and BPA were transformed, respectively (25 U/ml). Experiments with a membrane reactor (volume 10 l; phosphate buffer, pH 7) were in good agreement with the results of the laboratory scale experiments (50 ml). EC50-values were also determined. The data support the use of laccases for the removal or detoxification of recalcitrant pollutants. Thus, the enzyme laccase may be a component of an additional environmentally friendly process for the treatment stage of wastewater remediation.

Computational Study on the Mechanisms of Multiple Complexation of CO and Isonitrile Ligands to Boron.

The recent experimental realization of compound Tripp-B(CO)2 (denoted as 2a), where Tripp is 2,6-di(2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl)-phenyl), breaks through conventional knowledge that only transition metals can bind more than one CO to form multicarbonyl adducts. Compound 2a is stable in air but liberates CO under light. The B-CO bonds of 2a are considered to be similar to donor-acceptor bonds of transition metal complexes. To address the formation mechanism and chemical bonding of this novel type of boron compounds, we present a density functional theory study on the formation and photolysis of 2a and similar compounds. The results suggest that the formation of 2a is facile by three consecutive additions of CO to the terminal borylene metal complex, that is, the boron source of the synthesis. These CO additions can be practically accomplished via two different paths: CO direct addition and CO migration followed by addition. Such mechanisms can be excellently rationalized by the donor-acceptor bonding model of the terminal borylene complex, which in turn suggests that using donor-acceptor bonds for 2a is natural for understanding the mechanisms. Liberation of CO from 2a and its similar compounds has higher energy barriers at the ground states than that at the triplet states by 40 kcal/mol. These energy barriers explain the experimentally observed air stability and photolysis of these compounds. The results for the first time provide mechanistic insights for the unprecedented chemical processes; they allow evaluation of the applicability of donor-acceptor bonding in main-group compounds from the new perspective of chemical reactions.

Significant Cooperativity Between Ruthenium and Silicon in Catalytic Transformations of an Isocyanide.

Complexes [PhBP3]RuH(η(3)-H2SiRR') (RR' = Me,Ph, 1a; RR' = Ph2, 1b; RR' = Et2, 1c) react with XylNC to form carbene complexes [PhBP3]Ru(H)═[C(H)(N(Xyl)(η(2)-H-SiRR'))] (2a-c; previously reported for 2a,b). Reactions of 1a-c with XylNC were further investigated to assess how metal complexes with multiple M-H-Si bonds can mediate transformations of unsaturated substrates. Complex 2a eliminates an N-methylsilacycloindoline product (3a) that results from hydrosilylation, hydrogenation, and benzylic C-H activation of XylNC. Turnover was achieved in a pseudocatalytic manner by careful control of the reaction conditions. Complex 1c mediates a catalytic isocyanide reductive coupling to furnish an alkene product (4) in a transformation that has precedent only in stoichiometric processes. The formations of 3a and 4 were investigated with deuterium labeling experiments, KIE and other kinetic studies, and by examining the reactivity of XylNC with an η(3)-H2SiMeMes complex (1d) to form a C-H activated complex (6). Complex 6 serves as a model for an intermediate in the formation of 3a, and NMR investigations at -30 °C reveal that 6 forms via a carbene complex (1d) that isomerizes to aminomethyl complex 7d. These investigations reveal that the formations of 3a and 4 involve multiple 4-, 5-, and 6-coordinate silicon species with 0, 1, 2, or 3 Ru-H-Si bonds. These mechanisms demonstrate exceptionally intricate roles for silicon in transition-metal-catalyzed reactions with a silane reagent.

ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis and Molecular Structure Characterization of Novel 1,6‐Diazahexatrienes.

AbstractSodium carbonate needs to be activated (heated at 100°C in a hot air‐oven) prior to use.

Synthesis of coumarin-appended cyclophanes and evaluation of their complexation with myoglobin

Coumarin-appended cyclophanes bearing positively or negatively charged side chains were synthesized as a water-soluble host (1a or 1b, respectively). Host 1a and 1b showed fluorescence bands with fluorescence maxima at 404 nm originated from coumarin moiety. As a host for guest molecules by using macrocyclic cavity, cationic host 1a binds anionic guests such as 6-p-toluidinonaphthalene-2-sulfonate (TNS), 6-anilinonaphthalene-2-sulfonate (2,6-ANS), and 8-anilinonaphthalene-1-sulfonate (1,8-ANS) more strongly than anionic host 1b, reflecting intermolecular electrostatic interactions. In addition, both host 1a and 1b showed protein surface recognition and fluorescence response toward myoglobin, a small and globular protein. The fluorescence intensity originating from the hosts decreased upon the addition of myoglobin, reflecting the formation of 1a- and 1b-myoglobin complexes. On the other hand, such fluorescence response of 1a and 1b was almost negligible for other proteins such as egg white albumin, bovine serum albumin, human albumin, concanavaline A, fibrinogen, γ-globlin, peanut agglutinin, trypsin, and lysozyme.

Synthesis and Reactivity of Oxorhenium(V) Methyl, Benzyl, and Phenyl Complexes with CO: Implications for a Unique Mechanism for Migratory Insertion

The complexes [(DAAm)Re(O)(R)] [DAAm = N,N-bis(2-arylaminoethyl)methylamine; aryl = C6F5], 1, R = Me; 3a–d (R = benzyl, a; 4-methylbenzyl, b; 4-fluorobenzyl, c; 4-methoxybenzyl, d); and 4, R = Ph, were synthesized. CO insertion into the Re–R bond in 1 and 3a–d resulted in the formation of the acetyl complex, 2, and the (aryl)acetyl complexes, 5a–d respectively. The formation of 5a–d proceeded at a faster rate (7 h) than the formation of 2 (72 h) under the same conditions. No reaction was observed however for the phenyl complex 4 with CO. Kinetics for CO insertion into the various Re–R bonds were examined, and the experimental rate law was determined to be Rate = kobs[Re][CO]. The activation parameters for CO insertion into 1 and 3a were determined to be ΔG⧧(298 K) = 24(1). The enthalpy of activation ΔH⧧ was determined to be 9(1) and 10(3) kcal/mol for 1 and 3a, respectively, and the entropy of activation, ΔS⧧, was −49(2) and −36(4) cal/mol·K. Computational studies (M06) are consistent with the hypothesis ...

Synthesis and Molecular Structure Characterization of Novel 1,6-Diazahexatrienes

Novel 1,6-diazahexatrienes (1a–d) are a type of aza-conjugated hexatriene containing N,N-diamino moieties. We present the oxidative dimerization of 1,1,2-trisubstituted hydrazines as a synthetic approach to 1,6-diazahexatriene derivatives, rather than the expected pyrazine and pyridazine. The proposed mechanism for formation of 1a–d involves oxidative dimerization of 1,1,2-trisubstituted hydrazines via their hydrazones. The structures of 1a–d were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and mass spectroscopy. A detailed discussion regarding the character of the three-dimensional structure of 1 is based on x-ray crystallography.

Photochemical dihydrogen production using an analogue of the active site of [NiFe] hydrogenase.

Photoproduction of dihydrogen (H2) by a low molecular weight analogue of the active site of [NiFe] hydrogenase has been investigated by reduction of the [NiFe2] cluster, 1, by a photosensitier PS (PS = [ReCl(CO)3(bpy)] or [Ru(bpy)3][PF6]2). Reductive quenching of the (3)MLCT excited state of the photosensitizer by NEt3 or N(CH2CH2OH)3 (TEOA) generates PS(•-), and subsequent intermolecular electron transfer to 1 produces the reduced anionic form of 1. Time-resolved infrared spectroscopy (TRIR) has been used to probe the intermediates throughout the reduction of 1 and subsequent photocatalytic H2 production from [HTEOA][BF4], which was monitored by gas chromatography. Two structural isomers of the reduced form of 1 (1a(•-) and 1b(•-)) were detected by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in both CH3CN and DMF (dimethylformamide), while only 1a(•-) was detected in CH2Cl2. Structures for these intermediates are proposed from the results of density functional theory calculations and FTIR spectroscopy. 1a(•-) is assigned to a similar structure to 1 with six terminal carbonyl ligands, while calculations suggest that in 1b(•-) two of the carbonyl groups bridge the Fe centers, consistent with the peak observed at 1714 cm(-1) in the FTIR spectrum for 1b(•-) in CH3CN, assigned to a ν(CO) stretching vibration. Formation of 1a(•-) and 1b(•-) and production of H2 was studied in CH3CN, DMF, and CH2Cl2. Although the more catalytically active species (1a(•-) or 1b(•-)) could not be determined, photocatalysis was observed only in CH3CN and DMF.

From discrete monomeric complexes to hydrogen-bonded dimeric assemblies based on sterically encumbered square planar palladium(ii) ONN-pincers

The 2-(3-biphenyl-2-ol)-6-iminepyridines, 2-(3-C12H8-2-OH)-6-(CH=NAr)C5H3N (Ar = 2,6-i-Pr2C6H3 (L1a-H), 2,4,6-Me3C6H2 (L1b-H)), have been prepared in high yield via sequential Suzuki coupling, deprotection and condensation reactions from 2-methoxybiphenyl-3-ylboronic acid and 2-bromo-6-formylpyridine. Treatment of L1-H with Pd(OAc)2 or (MeCN)2PdCl2 results in deprotonation of L1-H to afford the discrete square planar ONN-chelates, [{2-(3-C12H8-2-O)-6-(CHNAr)C5H3N}Pd(OAc)] (Ar = 2,6-i-Pr2C6H3 (1a), 2,4,6-Me3C6H2 (1b)) and [{2-(3-C12H8-2-O)-6-(CH=NAr)C5H3N}PdCl] (Ar = 2,6-i-Pr2C6H3 (2a), 2,4,6-Me3C6H2 (2b)), in good yield, respectively; conversion of 1 to 2 using aqueous sodium chloride has been demonstrated. Selective reduction of the imino unit in L1-H with LiAlH4 proceeds smoothly to yield the 2-(3-biphenyl-2-ol)-6-(methylamine)pyridines, 2-(3-C12H8-2-OH)-6-(CH2-NHAr)C5H3N (Ar = 2,6-i-Pr2C6H3 (L2a-H), 2,4,6-Me3C6H2 (L2b-H)), which on reaction with Pd(OAc)2 give [{2-(3-C12H8-2-O)-6-(CH2-NHAr)C5H3N}Pd(OAc)] (Ar = 2,6-i-Pr2C6H3 (3a), 2,4,6-Me3C6H2 (3b)). Depending on the temperature of the reaction, the oxidised aldimine products 1a or 1b can also be observed as a competitive side-product during the formation of 3a or 3b. Similarly, ketimine-containing, [{2-(3-C12H8-2-O)-6-(CMe=N(2,6-i-Pr2C6H3))C5H3N}Pd(OAc)] (5), can be detected during the preparation of chiral [{2-(3-C12H8-2-O)-6-(CMeH-NH(2,6-i-Pr2C6H3))C5H3N}Pd(OAc)] (4) from 2-(3-C12H8-2-OH)-6-(CH2-NH(2,6-i-Pr2C6H3))C5H3N (L3-H) and Pd(OAc)2. Complexes 3a, 3b and 4 all exist as dimeric species in the solid state in which two anti-aligned square planar monomers are held together by two intermolecular NH(amine)···O(phenolate) interactions resulting in palladium–palladium separations of between 3.141–3.284 Å. The structurally related chloride-containing dimeric assemblies, [{2-(3-C12H8-2-O)-6-(CH2-NHAr)C5H3N)}PdCl] (Ar = 2,6-i-Pr2C6H3 (6a), 2,4,6-Me3C6H2 (6b)), can also be isolated on treatment of 3 with aqueous sodium chloride or by reaction of L3-H with (MeCN)2PdCl2. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies have been performed on L1a-H, L3-H, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 6a and 6b.

A new chromogenic and ratiometric agent for copper(II): Synthesis, structure and spectroscopy

A heterocyclic hydrazone ligand, pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde-2-hydrazino-2-imidazoline hydrobromide, HL (1), was investigated as a new chromogenic and ratiometric agent for selective detection of Cu2+. The ligand 1 gives a characteristic absorption peak in the UV region (λmax=328nm). It interacts selectively with Cu2+ and addition of Cu2+ shifted the UV absorption wavelength from 328 to 410nm due to formation of the complex [CuBr2(HL)] (1a). The red-shift of the absorption spectrum allowed a ratiometric analysis of the signalling behavior. The formation of 1a was accompanied by a color change from light yellow to bright green, which can easily be distinguished from other metal complexes by the naked eye. The association constant (Kass, UV–Vis) of 1a was found to be (5.58±0.006)×104 at 298K. The molecular structures of 1 and 1a have been successfully determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.

Synthesis and spectral investigation of a Turn-On fluorescence sensor with high affinity to Cu2+

Abstract Three anthracene derivatives ( 1a , 1b and 1c ) containing a Schiff base moiety were synthesized and investigated as chemosensors for the detection of Cu 2+ . 1a displayed extremely high selectivity to Cu 2+ over other 12 interference ions with 120-fold fluorescence enhancement at 468 nm in the acetonitrile media. The nitrogen atom in Schiff base and sulfur atom of 1a provided a binding scaffold for recognition of Cu 2+ with high affinity ( K a = 4.35 × 10 4 M −1 ). The formation of 1a –Cu 2+ complex caused a decrease of electron density on nitrogen atom and sequentially led to fluorescence enhancement based on the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) mechanism. The design used for these three molecules afforded a new model for construction of fluorescence sensors based on PET mechanism.