The Design of a Highly Selective Fluorescent Chemosensor for Cu(II) within Wide pH Region and a Molecular Switch Controlled by pH

A new calix4]arene-based fluorescent compound with two thio-ether groups as ionophore and one 3-alkoxy-2-naphthoic acid moiety as fluorophore has been designed, which exhibited highly selective binding of Cu ²⁺ over alkali, alkaline earth and some transition metal ions, including Co ²⁺, Ni ²⁺, Zn ²⁺, Mn ²⁺, Cd ²⁺, Pb ²⁺, Hg ²⁺, Ag ⁺, Cu ⁺, in CH ₃OH–H ₂O (2:1) within wide pH region. Moreover, the change of pH induces the consecutive quenching/revival of the fluorescence, with a concomitant distinct difference of the fluorescence quantum yield. In consequence, this system could be considered as a molecular switch.