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 Fâ 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 Fâ 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.