A fluorescence-enhanced chemosensor based on multifarene[2,2] and its recognition of metal cations

Abstract

A selective and sensitive fluorescent chemosensor based on an anthracene-functionalized triazole-linked multifarene[2,2] was successfully synthesized and investigated with regard to the recognition of metal ions using fluorescence spectroscopy, ¹H NMR titration, and IR spectroscopy. The proposed sensor exhibited desirable properties for potential fluorescence enhanced chemosensor applications, including selective affinity and low Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ detection limits compared with other metal ions. Quantum chemical calculations described the synthesized chemosensor's static structure and its coordination to Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺. Frontier molecular orbital distribution and energy changes suggested a possible mechanism for increased receptor fluorescence intensity with Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ addition.