(Supra)molecular systems for recognition, sensing and extraction processes

During the three years of my PhD, different azacryptands were synthesized and investigated (alone or as copper(II) metal complexes) for recognition, sensing and extraction processes. First, a smart portable device for the detection of the trans-trans muconic acid (i.e. an urinary metabolite of benzene) was developed by combing the well-known indicator displacement approach with the smartphone sensing. Then a chemosensing ensemble, formed by a dicopper(II) azacryptate and a fluorescent indicator, was studied as supramolecular sensor for fumarate anion in water. A new hydrophobic ligand was prepared by functionalizing its spacers with aliphatic chains: its dicopper(II) complex, completely soluble in dichloromethane, was tested as extractant for the liquid-liquid extraction of dicarboxylates from neutral water. Finally, new hydrophilic molecular cages were synthesized and characterized, with the aim to apply them for the improvement of spent nuclear fuel separation processes.