Binding and Fluorescent Sensing of Di-carboxylates by a Bis(calix[4]pyrrole)-Substituted BODIPY Dye

A bis(calix[4]pyrrole)-substituted BODIPY ditopic receptor 1 has been synthesised and characterised. The binding and sensing properties of 1 towards several aliphatic and aromatic dicarboxylates have been evaluated by using UV/Vis fluorescence and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The receptor strongly binds linear α,ω-dicarboxylates of appropriate lengths (C9 and C10) by acting as a cleft. For all dicarboxylates, the binding event is detected by a bathochromic shift in the UV/Vis spectra of the receptor and by strong quenching of its fluorescence.