A novel calix[4]arene-modified porphyrin-based dual-mode sensor for the specific detection of dopamine with excellent performance

Abstract

A novel calix[4]arene-functionalized porphyrin derivative H₂T[(C4AP)(Pyr)₃]P (1) has been designed, synthesized and characterized. A combination of the effective molecular recognition/enrichment and good optoelectronic properties derived from calix[4]arene and pyrene substituents as well as the π-conjugated porphyrin skeleton leads to the fluorometric and voltammetric dual-mode sensing activity of 1 for DA in the range of 1–50 μM and 2–100 μM, respectively, with remarkable specificity, representing the first multi-modal molecular sensor for DA.