Three novel macrocyclic ligands, L1–L3, in which a ferrocene unit and a fluorescent moiety are linked to polyselena rings have been designed and prepared from 1,1′-bis(3-bromopropylseleno)ferrocene. Reaction of L with [M(NCMe)4](PF6)2 (M = Pd and Pt) led to complexes [ML](PF6)2 (M = Pd and Pt). Crystal structure analysis revealed that after complexation, the macrocyclic ligand adopts the unusual c,c,c conformation due to intramolecular C–H···π interactions from the hydrogen atoms of ferrocene moieties to the naphthalene ring. Electrochemical studies showed that in [ML](PF6)2 (M = Pd and Pt) the half-wave potential of the 1,1′-ferrocenediyl group shifts to much more positive potentials due to electron density withdrawn from Se donor atoms. Electrochemical and optical measurements were used to calculate HOMO and LUMO levels as well as HOMO–LUMO band gaps. Results were compared and correlated with the differences in molecular structures.

•A simple mixed donor Se/N/O sensor was obtained.•The formation of 1:1 (Zn2+: L) complex was proposed.•It demonstrates good selectivity for sensing Zn2+ via ICT mechanism.1-(Ferrocenylseleno)-3-(8-hydroxyquinoline)-propane was synthesized and studied as a fluorescent sensor for Zn2 + ion. It demonstrates good selectivity for sensing Zn2 + via ICT mechanism.1-(Ferrocenylseleno)-3-(8-hydroxyquinoline)-propane was synthesized and its structure was determined. As a fluorescent sensor, it demonstrates good selectivity for sensing Zn2 + via ICT mechanism.

A novel macrocyclic ferrocenophane, 1,5,9,13-tetraselena[13]ferrocenophane (L), was synthesized. Reaction of L with [M(NCMe)4](PF6)2 (M = Pd and Pt) or [Cu(NCMe)4](PF6) led to complexes [ML](PF6)2 (M = Pd and Pt) or [CuL](PF6). The Ag(I) cation induced the formation of a one-dimensional polymer {[AgL](PF6)}n due to its large ionic radius. The structures of L and its four complexes have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Electrochemical studies showed that, in [ML](PF6)2 (M = Pd and Pt), the half-wave potential of the 1,1′-ferrocenediyl group shifts to much more positive potentials due to the strong through-space interaction between the two metals (M⋯Fe).

The group 6 metal complexes of 1,5-diselena[5]ferrocenophane (L) have been prepared and characterized. The structures of [M(CO)4L] (M = Cr, Mo) show that L adopts the unusual meso-2 conformation. E1/2 of the 1,1′-ferrocenylene group in three complexes is much more positive than that of the “free” ligand L due to the electron donation from L to the M(CO)4 fragment.[M(CO)4L] (M = Cr, Mo or W; L = 1,5-Diselena[5]ferrocenophane) have been prepared and characterized, in which L adopts the unusual meso-2 conformation. The E1/2 of the 1,1′-ferrocenylene group in three complexes is much more positive than that of the “free” ligand L due to the electron donation from L to the M(CO)4 fragment.

Two novel macrocyclic polyselenaferrocenophanes, 1,5,9-triselena[9]ferrocenophane (1) and 1,5,9,21,25,29-hexaselena[9.9]ferrocenophane (2), have been prepared by the reaction of 1,1’-bis(3-bromopropylseleno)ferrocene and Na2Se. The new compounds have been characterized by a range of spectroscopic and analytical techniques, including 1H, 13C NMR spectrometry and X-ray crystallography.Two novel macrocyclic polyselenaferrocenophanes, 1,5,9-triselena[9]ferrocenophane (1) and 1,5,9,21,25,29-hexaselena[9.9]ferrocenophane (2), have been prepared by an efficient route. Their structures and electrochemistry were studied.

The silver(I) and mercury(II) complexes of 1,5-diselena[5]ferrocenophane (L) have been synthesized. The X-ray crystal structures of L, [AgL2]PF6 and [HgI2L] are reported. The small cavity of the macrocyclic ligand means that the ring must undergo a conformational change to allow coordination, and there is no significant through-space interaction M⋯Fe in any of the complexes. Electrochemical studies showed that no electronic communication between ferrocenylene groups was observed in the silver complex where the through-bond Fe···Fe distances are in the range 13.10 (3)–13.27(3) Å.Complexes of 1,5-diselena[5]ferrocenophane (L) with silver(I) and mercury(II) have been prepared and characterised. Electrochemical studies showed that no electronic communication between ferrocenylene groups was observed in the silver complex [AgL2]+, with the through-bond Fe⋯Fe distances out of the threshold for communication.

A simple and reliable method to detect seven microcystins in hard clam and corbicula fluminea, based on liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization and tandem mass spectrometry (LC–ESI-MS/MS), was developed and validated. The sample preparation procedure includes extraction of tissue by methanol, followed by cleanup on a reversed-phase solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridge. With the optimized method, recoveries were between 43.7% and 92.3% for hard clam, 54.3% and 93.8% for corbicula fluminea, the relative standard deviations (RSD) were less than or equal to 16.2% and 15.7% in hard clam and corbicula fluminea at spiking levels of 1 μg/kg, 2 μg/kg and 5 μg/kg for MC-RR, MC-YR, MC-LR, and MC-LY, and 2 μg/kg, 5 μg/kg and 10 μg/kg for MC-LA, MC-LW and MC-LF, respectively, the limits of quantitation (LOQ) of this method were ranged from 0.7 μg/kg to 2.0 μg/kg.

A novel macrocyclic ferrocenophane, 1,5,9,13-tetraselena[13]ferrocenophane (L), was synthesized. Reaction of L with [M(NCMe)4](PF6)2 (M = Pd and Pt) or [Cu(NCMe)4](PF6) led to complexes [ML](PF6)2 (M = Pd and Pt) or [CuL](PF6). The Ag(I) cation induced the formation of a one-dimensional polymer {[AgL](PF6)}n due to its large ionic radius. The structures of L and its four complexes have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Electrochemical studies showed that, in [ML](PF6)2 (M = Pd and Pt), the half-wave potential of the 1,1′-ferrocenediyl group shifts to much more positive potentials due to the strong through-space interaction between the two metals (M⋯Fe).