Design, synthesis and photophysical evaluation of novel luminescent sensing devices : from anion sensors to heteroditopic receptors

Abstract

This thesis entitled "Design, Synthesis and Photophysical Evaluation of Novel Luminescent Sensing Devices: From Anion Sensors to Heteroditopic Receptors" is divided into six chapters. Chapter 1, the introduction, is divided into two parts. The first part provides an insight into the field of anion recognition based on the use of optical chemosensors, followed by a brief overview of the fluorescent based sensors that have been developed in the past. The principles and advantages of lanthanide luminescent sensing are illustrated and a review of lanthanide complexes used in anion sensing is presented. The second part of this chapter highlights the recognition of both cations and anions by using heteroditopic receptors. A review on the advances of synthetic heteroditopic receptors reported in the literature is presented. Their mode of action, as well as their relevance on the detection and extraction of toxic ions from aqueous environments, and their use as artificial carriers and channels for the transport of inorganic and organic salts across membranes is also described.