Amidofluorene-appended lower rim 1,3-diconjugate of calix[4]arene: synthesis, characterization and highly selective sensor for Cu²⁺

Functionalization of calix[4]arene with amidofluorene moieties at the lower rim led to formation of the 1,3-diconjugate of calix[4]arene L as a novel fluorescent chemosensor for Cu(2+). The receptor molecule L exhibited a pronounced selectivity towards Cu(2+) over other mono and divalent ions. The formation of the complex between L and Cu(2+) was evaluated by absorption, fluorescence and (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The sensor L showed a remarkable color change from colorless to purple and a fluorescence quenching only upon interaction with Cu(2+). The 1:1 stoichiometry of the obtained complex has been determined by Job's plot. The association constant determined by fluorescence titration was found to be 1.8 × 10(6) M(-1). The sensor showed a linear response toward Cu(2+) in the concentration range from 1 to 10 µM with a detection limit of 9.6 × 10(-8) M.