Eu(iii)–cyclen–phen conjugate as a luminescent copper sensor: the formation of mixed polymetallic macrocyclic complexes in water

Abstract

The cationic cyclen based Eu(III)–phen conjugated 1·Eu was synthesised as a chemosensor for Cu(II), where the recognition in water at pH 7.4 gave rise to quenching of the Eu(III) luminescence and the formation of tetranuclear polymetallic Cu(II)–Eu(III) macrocyclic complexes in solution where Cu(II) was bound by three 1·Eu conjugates.