Recognition of dicarboxylates in aqueous acetonitrile by a dinuclear zinc(II) complex of 2,2’-binaphthalene-based receptor

Molecular recognition of dicarboxylates by a dinuclear zinc(II) complex of 2,2ʹ-binaphthalene bearing di(2-pyridyl)aminomethyl groups at 8- and 8ʹ-positions ([Zn₂L]⁴⁺) by UV-vis and fluorescence spectral titrations in an aqueous solvent was investigated. In a series of α,ω-dicarboxylate, receptor [Zn₂L]⁴⁺ showed the highest binding affinity for succinate and UV-vis and fluorescence changes were also largest upon the addition of this guest. In a series of phthalate derivatives, phthalate was strongly bound by [Zn₂L]⁴⁺. The characteristic UV-vis and fluorescence changes strongly depend on the dihedral angle of two naphthyl groups of the complex [Zn₂L]⁴⁺· dicarboxylate estimated by spectral titrations and DFT calculations.