Calixarenes and calixarence-based sensors

Abstract

A calixarene dimer of the general formula (I-G), comprising a first calixarene moiety I and a second calixarene moiety G, wherein: L is [—CH—] or [—O—CH—O—] and is the same or different between each aryl group; Ris H, NO, halogen, or C-Caliphatic hydrocarbyl group, C-Caryl group, C-Chydrocarbylaryl 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 Ris the same or different on each aryl group; Rcomprises a carboxy group which is or is not protonated or protected; two groups out of R, Rand Rare H; the one group out of R, Rand Rnot 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 R, Rand Rnot 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.