Tetra dansylamides substituted cyclen and cyclam macrocycles as fluorescent sensing probes for metal ions and temperature-responsive materials in dopped polymers

Two novel tetra-dansyl derivatives incorporating cyclen (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane) and cyclam (1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) macrocycles have been synthesized, thoroughly characterized, and their photophysical properties examined, both in solution and in the solid state. These compounds exhibit fluorescence emission with quantum yields up to 40 %, varying significantly with different solvents. They also display positive solvatofluorochromic behavior, with emissions ranging from green to yellow colours. Kamlet-Taft studies were conducted to better understand solute-solvent interactions. Furthermore, aggregation-induced emission was observed in solutions with high water content, confirmed via dynamic light scattering. Given the intrinsic properties of these compounds, their potential for environmental remediation was explored through metal ion sensing studies. Compounds L1 and L2 demonstrated high sensitivity to Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions, significantly modulating their emission, with L2 capable of detecting and quantifying Hg²⁺ concentrations as low as 2–3 μM. Additionally, the solid-state emission of these compounds encouraged an investigation into their potential as temperature sensors. Several doped polymer thin films were fabricated, establishing a linear relationship with temperature beyond their melting point. These findings suggest that these tetra-chromophoric compounds hold promise as molecular thermometers.