A calix[4]arene based turn off/turn on molecular receptor for Cu2+ and CN− ions in aqueous medium

• An efficient calix[4]arene–naphthalimide molecular receptor have been developed for detection of Cu2+ and CN− ions.
• The molecular receptor can selectively recognized copper ion via fluorescence quenching.
• Metallo-supramolecular complex, 4-Cu2+ displayed “turn-on” response with cyanide in aqueous medium.
• The mechanism utilizes a complexation approach for 4-Cu2+ complex with CN−.

An efficient molecular receptor calix[4]arene-naphthalimide, 4 has been reported for turn off – turn on sensing of copper and cyanide ions. The matallo-supramolecular complex, 4-Cu2+ exhibits fluorescence enhancement with cyanide in aqueous medium with LOD of 0.34 μM. The 4-Cu2+ complex recognize cyanide through complexation approach rather than displacement.

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