文摘
A carbazolo[1,2-a]carbazole-2,11-dicarboxamide has been synthesized and studied as a dicarboxylate anion receptor. The preorganized structure of this ligand affords a size-selective response when a homologous series of dicarboxylates are analyzed. The structural correlation between the receptor and the different dianions was confirmed by 1H NMR studies, and different binding modes were also studied by X-ray crystal structure analysis. The fluorescent properties of the carbazolocarbazole unit give a ratiometric response for those anions that have the best size fit. During the recognition process, the selective signaling of the glutarate anion results in a switch in the fluorescence color between the free and bound species. The detection of glutarate metabolites is important for the diagnosis of glutaric aciduria.