Highly sensitive and selective fluorometric off–on K+ probe constructed via host–guest molecular recognition and aggregation-induced emission

• DOI: 10.1039/c2jm16510d
• Publication Date: 2012-03-23T11:50:28Z
• Authors: Xiaorui Wang; Jinming Hu; Tao Liu; Guoying Zhang; Shiyong Liu
• Keywords: Molecular Recognition; 15-Crown-5; Maleimide; Derivative (finance)

In this work, we integrated the concept of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) with specific supramolecular recognition between K+ ions and crown ether moieties to develop more effective fluorometric probes. We synthesized a novel ether-functionalized tetraphenylethene (TPE) derivative, TPE-(B15C5)4, via thiol-ene click reaction thiol-derivatized TPE, TPE-(SH)4, maleimide-functionalized benzo-15-crown-5 (B15C5). TPE core four outer B15C5 serve as AIE-active motif K+-recognizing functionalities, respectively. TPE- (B15C5)4 molecularly dissolves in THF negligible fluorescence emission. As have envisaged, upon addition, TPE-(B15C5)4 can be effectively induced aggregate due K+-mediated cross-linking formation K+/B15C5 (1/2 molar ratio) molecular complex sandwiched manner. This process is concomitantly accompanied turn-on AIE mechanism. Thus, highly sensitive selective off–on