Triazole- and triazolium-containing porphyrin-cages for optical anion sensing.

Triazole and triazolium groups have been integrated into a zinc(II) metalloporphyrin-based structural framework to produce two porphyrin-cages for anion sensing applications. UV/visible spectroscopic titration investigations reveal both host systems exhibit strong anion binding affinities, with the positively-charged triazolium-porphyrin cage capable of colorimetric sensing halides, fluoride and chloride, and oxoanions in acetone-water solvent mixtures.