2,5‐ Thienylene‐Strapped [26]Hexaphyrin as Multifunctional Chemosensor for Hg2+, Cu2+, and F‐ ions

The sensing behavior of 2,5‐thienylene‐bridged tetrakis(2,6‐dichlorophenyl)‐[26]hexaphyrin ( 2 ) towards various metal ions and anions were investigated by UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopies. Using this strapped hexaphyrin (2), the molecular sensor displayed highly selective and sensitive colorimetric responses to Cu 2+ and Hg 2+ in MeOH/THF. The spectral changes are distinctive enough in the visible region of the spectrum to enable naked‐eye detection. The detection limits of Cu 2+ and Hg 2+ using this chemo‐sensor in a mixed MeOH/THF solution were 1.978 and 1.283 μM, respectively, and 1.052 μM for F − in dichloromethane. Chemosensor 2,5‐thienylene strapped [26]hexaphyrin ( 2 ) shows absorption responses both a 1 : 1 molecular ratio for 2 interacting with Cu 2+ and Hg 2+ and a 1 : 2 ratio between 2 and F − ions.