Effective fluorescent sensing of Na+ ion by calix[4]arene bearing pyrene and perylene based on energy transfer

Abstract

A new calix[4]arene having pyrene and perylene moieties has been synthesized as a Na+ detectable fluorescent ionophore. When excited at the pyrene moiety (342 nm) of the ionophore, a strong fluorescence emission of the perylene moiety (535 nm) was observed due to energy transfer from the pyrene to perylene. By addition of Na+ at a low concentration in the range of 2.5-10 μM, the fluorescence was remarkably quenched. In contrast to the fluorescent behavior by the ionophore having pyrene and perylene moieties, the excimer emission of a calix[4]arene derivative having two pyrene moieties decreased by the addition of Na+ with a concentration in the range of 50-200 μM. ©ARKAT USA, Inc.