Pillararene-based fluorescent sensors for the tracking of organic compounds

Fluorescent chemosensors based on pillararene complexes represent a new, promising branch in sensor technology. Because of CH⋅⋅⋅π interactions, aliphatic chains are well suited for the columnar cavities of pillararenes and bulky or sheet-like (sub)structures can be arranged on the portals. Thus, pillararenes form versatile receptors and an alteration of the fluorescence behavior upon complexation ensures the function of these chemosensors as the reporter. Although this field of research exists only since a few years, remarkable chemosensors were developed for substances as diverse as medical drugs, biochemicals, herbicides and explosives.