Oxidation of 1,8-oxybis(ethyleneethoxyethylenethio)anthracene-9,10-dione into sulfoxide changes the selectivity: Synthesis, spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography

New Anthraquinone based sulfoxide and sulfone derivatives as ligands and their Ca(II) & Pb(II) complex have been synthesized. Ligands and metal complexes have been characterized spectroscopically. X-ray structures of Ca(II) and Pb(II) complexes show that the metal ions are sandwiched between the ligands. Sulfoxide derivative is acting as a luminescent sensor for Ca(II). Optical properties of new ligands versus battery of metal ions are also discussed.