A naphthalimide–calixarene as a two-faced and highly selective fluorescent chemosensor for Cu 2+ or F −

Abstract

A new naphthalimide–calix[4]arene was synthesized as a two-faced and highly selective fluorescent chemosensor for Cu 2+ or F −. This chemosensor displayed a selective fluorescence quenching effect only with Cu 2+ among the various metal ions. On the other hand, among the various anions, the title chemosensor displayed a selective fluorescence quenching effect only with F −. The binding mode with F − was further investigated using fluorescence changes and 1H NMR experiments.