Investigation of the interaction of calixarene (host) and neutral benzotrifluoride (guest) - Comparison of luminescence characteristics of calixarenes with results of model calculations relating to complex formation

The 'host' properties of calix[4]arene and 4-Tert-butyl-calix[6]arene molec ules under the effect of different neutral pesticide related trifluoromethy l-benzene (benzotrifluoride) molecules as 'guests' have been investigated b y spectrofluorometric method. Photoluminescence signal was detected in chlo roform and dimethylformamide solvents. The characteristics of the photolumi nescence (intensity and anisotropy decay) of calixarene derivatives show si gnificant changes in presence of benzotrifluorides. The host-guest interact ion and complex formation were described by quantum-chemical method. The re sults show that the photoluminescence signal reflects the supramolecular in teraction. This makes calixarenes promising candidates as host molecules to be used in chemical sensors measuring neutral organic molecules. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.