Novel Fluorescent Chemosensor for Detection of F⁻ Anions Based on a Single Functionalized Pillar[5]arene Iron(III) Complex

Novel fluorescent chemosensor with good selectivity for F⁻ anion was designed and synthesized. The sensor has a bearing on a single functionalized pillar[5]arene and Fe³⁺ metal complex (PN-Fe), which showed prominent fluorescent response for F⁻ anion over other common anions (Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, AcO⁻, HSO4⁻, H₂PO₄ ⁻, ClO₄ ⁻, CN⁻ and SCN⁻). These results were evaluated by fluorescent method. The detection limit of PN-Fe to F⁻ was calculated to be 2.50×10⁻⁷ mol/L. Moreover, the sensor PN-Fe³⁺ might serve as a recyclable component in sensing materials.