Calix[4]arene-based crab-like molecular sensors for highly selective detection of mercury and copper ions

In this work, two novel chemosensors based on calix[4]arene bearing (thio)barbituric acid groups (BC1 and BC2) were synthesised, and their structures were characterised by HRMS, NMR and FTIR. Furthermore, their binding properties towards various biologically relevant metal ions were studied by fluorescence titrations, ¹H NMR spectroscopies and Job’s plot evaluations. The chemosensor BC1 displayed excellent binding affinity and selectivity towards Cu²⁺, which was characterised using fluorescence spectroscopy. On the other hand, BC2 exhibited a very remarkable fluorescence enhancement as well as visible colour change from pale green to sunset yellow, in presence of Hg²⁺ ions. Finally, Job’s plot method revealed 1:1 binding stoichiometry for both BC1:Cu²⁺ complex and BC2:Hg²⁺ complex.