Pyrene Excimer-Based Calix[4]arene FRET Chemosensor for Mercury(II)

Abstract

A novel calix[4]arene derivative locked in the 1,3-alternate conformation (2) bearing two pyrene and rhodamine fluorophores was synthesized as a selective sensor for the Hg(2+) ion. The sensoring is based on FRET from pyretic; excimer emissions to ring-opened rhodamine absorption upon complexation of the Hg(2+) ion. Addition of Hg(2+) to a mixed solution of 2 gave significantly enhanced fluorescence at similar to 576 nm via FRET with excitation at 343 nm. We also found that the pyrene excimer emissions formed by the intramolecular pi-pi interactions are more effective in obtaining strong FRET bands than those by intermolecular pi-pi interactions.