Synthesis, characterization, and fluorescence behavior of four novel macrocyclic emissive ligands containing a flexible 8-hydroxyquinoline unit

Four emissive macrocyclic ligands mono-substituted with an 8-hydroxyquinoline pendant arm are presented. The new compounds have been used for metal-ion detection, which results from the competition between PET (photo-induced electron transfer) and PPT (photo-induced proton transfer) mechanisms.