Electrochemical recognition of ions with self-assembled monolayers of quinone derivatized calixarene disulfide

Abstract

Quinone-functionalized calix[4]arene with disulfide group was prepared and it's spontaneous adsorption on gold surface was studied. Since the cavity-like structure of calixarenes was immobilized, they exhibited selective affinity towards specific metal ions in aqueous media. Voltammetry as well as EQCM showed the well-ordered deposition of organic receptors and entrapment of metal ions. And it also was found that the repeated capture and removal of metal ions reversibly with chelating agents such as ethylene-diaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) was possible. This is the first example, in our knowledge, of voltammetric detection of metal ions in aqueous media using a chemically modified electrode with redox-active macrocyclic receptors.