Hg2+-selective OFF-ON and Cu2+-selective ON-OFF type fluoroionophore based upon cyclam

A new cyclam derivative having two different fluorophores of pyrene and NBD subunits was prepared, and its Hg2(-+) and Cu2+-selective signaling behaviors were investigated. The detection limits for the analysis of Hg2+- and Cu2+ ions were found to be 7.9 x 10(-6) and 2.6 x 10(-7) M in aqueous acetonitrile solution (H(2)0-CH3CN = 10:90, v/v), respectively. The compound also exhibited a selective Hg2+/Cu2+-induced OFF-ON-OFF type of signaling pattern that can be utilized for the construction of functional supramolecular switching systems.