Calixarenes and calixarene-based sensors

摘要

A calixarene dimer of the general formula (I-G), comprising a first calixarene moiety I and a second calixarene moiety G, wherein: L is [-CH₂-] or [-O-CH₂-O-] and is the same or different between each aryl group; R⁵ is H, NO₂, halogen, or C₁-C₁₀ aliphatic hydrocarbyl group, C₆-C₂₀ aryl group, C₆-C₂₀ hydrocarbylaryl group, any of which is optionally substituted by one or more halo or oxo groups or interrupted by one or more oxo or amide groups, and R⁵ is the same or different on each aryl group; R¹ comprises a carboxy group which is or is not protonated or protected; two groups out of R², R³ and R⁴ are H; the one group out of R², R³ and R⁴ not being H comprises at least one atom of one or more of O and S, the said at least one atom being capable of causing the calixarene to be adsorbed onto the surface of the substrate; and the one group out of R², R³ and R⁴ not being H being conjugated to the second calixarene moiety G. The calixarene dimers may be incorporated into sensors. Methods of making the calixarene dimers are disclosed.