Functional metal-organic quadrangular macrocycle as luminescent sensor for ATP in aqueous media

Abstract A new metal-organic quadrangular macrocycle Co(III) complex was achieved via self-assembly by comprising anthracene moieties as fluorophores, while the tridentate N 2 O units containing amide groups as guest binding sites and communicators, for specific responses to adenosine-5′-triphosphate disodium over the other disodium 5′-ribonucleotides and inorganic phosphate anions. The M 4 L 4 structure of macrocycle Co(III) complex was further confirmed by the crystal analysis of comparison.