Highly Selective Fluorescent Signaling for Al3+ in Bispyrenyl Polyether

Abstract

A series of bispyrenyl-polyether have been synthesized and investigated as a fluorescent chemosensor for metal ions. The results showed that bispyrenyl-polyether system is selective towards Al3+ ion over other ions tested. In free ligand, excited at 343 nm, it displays a strong excimer emission at around 475 nm with a weak monomer emission at 375 nm. A ratiometry of monomer (375 nm) increase and excimer (475 nm) quenching was shown only when Al3+ ion is bound to ligand, because two facing pyrene groups form a less efficient overlap of π−π stacking compared with that of free ligand