Synthesis of 9,9′-Spirobifluorenes and 4,5-Diaza-9,9′-spirobifluorenes and Their Application as Affinity Materials for Quartz Crystal Microbalances

Two different classes of aza analogues of 9,9'-spirobifluorenes have been synthesized. These were obtained by either furnishing the spirobifluorene with additional pyridyl moieties or by installing the aza function directly into the spirobifluorene core. These structurally rigid compounds were then evaluated as affinity materials for quartz crystal microbalances and proved to be highly potent for the detection of volatile organic compounds.