A new Cu2+-selective self-assembled fluorescent chemosensor based on thiacalix[4]arene

Abstract

Abstract A new ON–OFF fluorescent chemosensor for Cu 2+ ions was prepared through self-assembly inside Triton X-100 micelles of p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene (TCA) and perylene in water solution. This thiacalix[4]arene-based self-assembled fluorescent chemosensor could realize the direct sensing of Cu 2+ ions in aqueous solution. Addition of Cu 2+ ions could result in a quenching of the fluorescence emission of perylene inside the micelles, which is ascribed to intramicellar complex-fluorophore electron-transfer or energy-transfer effects induced by the complexation of TCA with the Cu 2+ ions. Cu 2+ ions can be detected selectively in the presence of other metal ions (Zn 2+ , Pb 2+ , Cd 2+ , Mn 2+ , Ni 2+ , Al 3+ , Na + , K + , Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ ) and its concentration in the submicromolar range can be almost linearly determined according to the fluorescence quenching.