Cu2+ and CN−-selective fluorogenic sensors based on pyrene-appended thiacalix[4]arenes

Two new fluorescent sensors 1 and 2 based on thiacalix[4]arenes bearing pyrene moieties have been synthesized in cone conformation. The binding abilities of these sensors towards different cations such as lithium, sodium, potassium, nickel, cadmium, copper, zinc, lead, silver, mercury and anions like fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, cyanide, acetate, hydrogen sulfate and nitrate have been examined by UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopies. These receptors show pronounced selectivity for copper and cyanide ions. In CH2Cl2/CH3CN (1:1), the presence of Cu(II) ion induces the formation of 1:1 (H/G) complex with receptor 1 and 1:2 (H/G) complex with receptor 2. The cyanide ions form a 1:1 (H/G) complex with both receptors.

Graphical abstractTwo new fluorescent sensors 1 and 2 based on thiacalix[4]arenes bearing two pyrene groups have been synthesized in cone conformation and examined for their binding abilities towards different cations and anions by UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopies. These receptors show pronounced selectivity for copper and cyanide ions.Download full-size image