Tris(ferrocenylmethidene)sumanene: synthesis, photophysical properties and applications for efficient caesium cation recognition in water.

The synthesis of a sumanene derivative bearing three ferrocenyl substituents is presented. This conjugated compound is solution-processable, shows red-light emission with high fluorescence quantum yield and can be used for the construction of the first buckybowl-based sensor for the selective and effective recognition of caesium cations (Cs+) in aqueous solution.