Synthesis and ion-selective properties of an amphiphilic butadienyl dye

The synthesised amphiphilic benzodithia-15-crown-5 butadienyl dye forms stable monolayers on distilled water (up to 47 mN m^–1) and undergoes specific interactions (complex formation) with Hg²⁺ or non-specific interactions with K⁺, as follows from surface pressure – and surface potential – molecular area isotherms.