Immobilization of Monolayers Incorporating Cu Funnel Complexes onto Gold Electrodes. Application to the Selective Electrochemical Recognition of Primary Alkylamines in Water

J Am Chem Soc. 2016 Oct 5;138(39):12841-12853. doi: 10.1021/jacs.6b05317. Epub 2016 Sep 22.

Abstract

The immobilization of a copper calix[6]azacryptand funnel complex on gold-modified electrodes is reported. Two different methodologies are described. One is based on alkyne-terminated thiol self-assembled monolayers. The other relies on the electrografting of a calix[4]arene platform bearing diazonium functionalities at its large rim and carboxylic functions at its small rim, which is post-functionalized with alkyne moieties. In both cases, the CuAAC electroclick methodology proved to be the method of choice for grafting the calix[6]azacryptand onto the monolayers. The surface-immobilized complex was fully characterized by surface spectroscopies and electrochemistry in organic and aqueous solvents. The Cu complex displays a well-defined quasi-reversible system in cyclic voltammetry associated with the Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox process. Remarkably, this redox process triggers a powerful selective detection of primary alkylamines in water at a micromolar level, based on a cavitary recognition process.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't