Dioxepine-Peri-Annulated PMIs-Synthesis and Spectral and Sensing Properties

New perylene monoimide (PMI) derivatives bearing a seven-membered heterocycle and 1,8-diaminosarcophagine (DiAmSar) or N,N-dimethylaminoethyl chelator fragments were synthesized, and their spectroscopic properties in the absence and presence of metal cations were determined to evaluate their potential applications as PET optical sensors for such analytes. DFT and TDDFT calculations were employed to rationalize the observed effects.