The assembly of “S3N”-ligands decorated with an azo-dye as potential sensors for heavy metal ions

An "S3N-ligand azo-dye" conjugate has been synthesised with a view to the development of a sensor for heavy metal ions. Complexation of this system with Ag(i), Hg(ii) and Cu(ii) salts has been investigated and an X-ray structure has been obtained for a Hg(ii) complex. Complexation of the conjugated dye to these metals results in a bathochromic shift in the absorption maximum of the azo dye, an effect which is most pronounced for Cu(ii).