4,4′-bis(dimethylamino)biphenyl containing binding sites. A newfluorescent subunit for cation sensing

The emission behaviour of the 4,4′-bis(dimethylamino)biphenyl subunit covalently attached to aza-crown ethers is studied. Some new ligands have been synthesised in order to test the properties of this new fluorophore. The fluorescence of these new ligands and some other compounds previously described has been studied in acetonitrile in the presence of Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, Cd2+ and also in the presence of some alkali and alkaline-earth cations.