Synthesis and rare earth metal ion-sensing properties of aza-crown derivative incorporating with diaryl-1,3,4-oxadiazole

A new fluorescent chemosensor (A18C6-Ox) in which a monoaza-18-crown-6 is linked to a diaryl-1,3,4-oxadiazole fluorophore by a methylene spacer has been synthesized to evaluate binding interaction with the rare earth ions by means of absorption and emission spectrophotometry. Absorption spectra of A18C6-Ox showed a broad band at 289 nm and there was no significant change in the presence of Sc3+, La3+, Pr3+, Sm3+, Gd3+, Tb3+, Yb3+ and Lu3+ except for Ce3+ and Eu3+. From the emission spectral change of A18C6-Ox, interaction of the rare earth ions with A18C6-Ox is very strong. The formation of A18C6-Ox complexing with Sc3+, La3+, Pr3+, Sm3+, Gd3+, Tb3+, Yb3+ and Lu3+ leads to an increase in fluorescence intensity of A18C6-Ox, while Ce3+ and Eu3+ ions interact strongly causing fluorescence quenching of A18C6-Ox. In addition, the optimal complexation stoichiometry of the rare earth ions with A18C6-Ox was investigated by the fluorescent titration.