Sulfonatocalix[4]arene-based light-harvesting amphiphilic supramolecular assemblies for sensing sulfites in cells

Herein, we reported highly efficient light-harvesting amphiphilic supramolecular assemblies based on a tetraphenylethylene derivative (TPE-4Py), an amphiphilic sulfonatocalix[4]arene (SC4A-C6), and a sulfite fluorescent probe (SP). The obtained assemblies not only showed obvious signal amplification compared to SP alone, with an antenna effect of up to 28.1 based on highly efficient energy transfer of 75.2% from TPE-4Py/SC4A-C6 to SP, but also displayed an excellent ratiometric fluorescence signal output toward sulfites. Meanwhile, the assemblies showed no obvious cytotoxicity to A549 cells and could be used to sense sulfites in the cells. This strategy for constructing supramolecular assemblies not only resulted in a high-efficiency light-harvesting platform but also amplified the signal of the probe because of the high antenna effect and thus constitutes an effective method for fabricating fluorescent cell sensors.

Automated summary

This study reported highly efficient light-harvesting supramolecular assemblies based on TPE-4Py, SC4A-C6, and SP, which showed excellent ratiometric fluorescence signal output towards sulfites and displayed no obvious cytotoxicity to cells. The strategy not only resulted in a high-efficiency light-harvesting platform but also amplified the signal of the probe, making it an effective method for fabricating fluorescent cell sensors.