Efficient sensing of fluoride ions in water using a novel water soluble self-assembled supramolecular sensor based on pillar[5]arene

Abstract

The development of novel strategies to achieve efficient detection of ions in water is an intriguing challenge. Moreover, due to its high hydration enthalpy, the detection of F⁻ in water is a very difficult task. Herein, we report a novel and efficient method for highly selective detection of ions in water. This novel approach can be illustrated as follows. First, water soluble cationic pillar[5]arene (P5) and aromatic acid derivatives (N1) that were self-assembled in water formed supramolecular sensors (P5N1). Then, competitive coordination was rationally introduced into these supramolecular sensors by adding metal ions (such as Fe³⁺) to form new supramolecular sensors (P5N1Fe). Interestingly, the supramolecular sensor P5N1Fe showed a high selectivity for F⁻ in water solution. Therefore, this suggests that this method is a novel and facile way to design sensors for the efficient sensing of ions in water.