Ratiometric chemosensing of Mg2+ ions by a calix[4]arene diamide derivative

A new chemosensor with a phenanthroimidazole subunit based upon calix[4]arene-diamide has been synthesized, and its Mg2+-selective fluoroionophoric properties were investigated in an aqueous DMSO solution. The compound exhibited a pronounced Mg2+-selective fluoroionophoric behavior over other physiologically relevant metal ions. A significant red shift in fluorescence emission (Δλ=86nm) provided the ratiometric determination as well as naked-eye detection of Mg2+ ions.