Novel multi-analyte responsive ionic supramolecular gels based on pyridinium functionalized-naphthalimide

A novel ionic supramolecular gel (is-G) is synthesized using N-(pyridinium-4-yl)-naphthalimide (G1) and n-pentanoic acid. By rationally introducing competitive coordination into is-G, two ion coordinated ionic supramolecular gels is-IG and is-FeG (coordinated with I- and Fe3+, respectively) are obtained. is-IG could fluorescently turn-on'' detect Hg2+ and L-Arg with specific selectivity, whereas, is-FeG could accurately identify L-Ser via fluorescence in water. Moreover, ion or amino acid responsive films based on these ionic supramolecular gels are prepared. These ionic supramolecular gels and films could act as multi-analyte detection materials as well as fluorescent display materials.