Transition metal cryptate - enhanced fluorescence in a trianthroyl cryptand: effect of spacer on the photoinduced electron transfer process

The three secondary nitrogens in a heteroditopic cryptand are derivatized w ith anthroyl groups to have a cryptand based system in the '(fluorophore)3- spacer-receptor' format. This supramolecular system shows enhancement of fl uorescence in presence of metal ions like Cu(II), Co(II), Zn(II). The quant um yields of fluorescence enhancement as well as the photophysical behavior of this system has been compared with those of a trianthryl cryptand where the spacer is a -CH2 group. Such studies provide important clues in the de velopment of photodriven molecular devices and sensors and also understandi ng of the PET process. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.