A multiple-function fluorescent pillar[5]arene: Fe3+/Ag+ detection and light-harvesting system

Abstract

A novel pillar[5]arene (P5DPB) that includes a classical π -conjugated molecule, 4,4′-(1,4-phenylenedi-2,1-ethenediyl) bis-pyridine (DPB), was designed and synthesized as a substituent. Because of this modification, P5DPB exhibits several unique properties that differ from those of common pillar[5]arenes. The P5DPB neutral pyridine shows good selectivity for Ag + and Fe 3+ . The presence of Ag + ions cause a blue shift (from yellow-green to green) and a decrease in the intensity of the P5DPB emission, while the addition of Fe 3+ significantly quenches the P5DPB fluorescence. In addition, P5DPB satisfies the conditions for the construction of an energy transfer system with the commonly used Rhodamine B dye and shows great potential for the development of artificial light-harvesting systems. This work provides a new approach for the construction of energy transfer systems and a new reference for metal detection based on derivatized pillar[ n ]arenes, greatly enriching the applications of these systems. A novel pillar[5]arenes not only shows good selectivity for coordination to Ag + and Fe 3+ but also satisfies the conditions for the construction of an energy transfer system with the commonly used Rhodamine B dye.