Unusual emission from non-conjugated simple amines triggered by a micelle and its influencing factors: mimicking the GFP model†

In order to mimic the emissive mechanism of green fluorescent protein (GFP) by using chemical reagents, we systematically explored a micelle-triggered fluorescent system formed by non-conjugated simple amine molecules and cyclopentanol (CPA). Compared with its amphiphilic ring-type and linear homologues, we found that the fluorescent properties of the prepared systems were highly sensitive to the surrounding environment. The present work deepens our understanding of abnormal fluorescence mechanisms and provides a novel approach to designing highly efficient luminescent systems via green, facile and low-cost procedures, fundamentally distinct from traditional methods. Simultaneously, fluorescent micelles exhibit specific quenching of Fe³⁺ ions, which can be combined with chestnut lignin to prepare Fe³⁺ detection and adsorption materials.