Exploiting Tautomerism for Switching and Signaling

Good form: Attaching a flexible piperidine unit to 4-(phenyldiazenyl)naphthalen-1-ol allows construction of a tautomeric switch, where directed shift of the tautomeric equilibrium can be achieved through protonation and deprotonation (see picture). The developed molecular switch shows acceptable complexation with small alkali- and alkaline-earth-metal ions and forms a promising base for further development of effective molecular sensors.