Synthesis and characterization of two new fluorescent macrocycles: A novel fluorescent chemosensor for zinc ion

► Two novel macrocycles (L1 and L2) that fluorophers are a part of the macrocycles were synthesized. ► Macrocycle L1 was found to be as a fluorescence sensor for Zinc(II) ions. ► Sensing signals were characterized as intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer. ► Possible interaction mode between the host and guest was studied by model calculations at DFT level.