The Fluorescence Behavior of the Responsive Macrocycle by Aromatic Imine Molecules

The macrocycle L exhibited a switch on-off behavior through the fluorescent responses by aromatic imine molecule 1 (X=H) / trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). In the 'switch on' state, it was supposed that the aromatic imine molecule 1 is in the cavity of macrocycle L and a photoinduced electron transfer (PET) from the nitrogen of azacrown part to the anthryl group is inhibited by the interaction between the aromatic imine molecule 1 and the azacrown part of macrocycle L. In the 'switch off' state, it was supposed that the protonated imine molecule 1 is induced by the continuous addition of TFA and a repulsion between the protonated azacrown part and the protonated imine molecule 1 is occurred. It was considered that this process induces the intermolecular PET from the protonated imine molecule 1 to the anthryl group of macrocycle L because of a proximity effect between the anthryl group and the protonated imine molecule 1. From the investigation of the transient emission decay curve, the macrocycle L showed three components (3.45 ns (79.72%), 0.61 ns (14.53%), and 0.10 ns (5.75%). When the imine molecule 1 was added in the macrocycle L as molar ratio=1:1, the first main component showed a little longer lifetime as 3.68 ns (82.75%) although the other two components were similar as 0.64 ns (14.28%) and 0.08 ns (2.96%). On the contrary, when the imine molecule 3 (X=C1) was added in the macrocycle L as molar ratio=l:1, all the three components were decreased such as 3.27 ns (69.83%), 0.44 ns (13.24%), and 0.06 ns (16.93%). The fluorescent pH titration of macrocycle L was carried out from pH=3 to pH=9. The macrocycle L and C $U^{2+}$- macrocycle L complex were intersected at about pH=5, while the E $u^{3+}$ -macrocycle L complex was intersected at about pH=5.5. In addtion, we investigated the fluorescence change of macrocycle L as a function of the substituent constant ($\sigma$$_{p}$$^{o}$) showing in the para-substituent with electron withdrawing groups (X=F, Cl) and electron donating groups (X=C $H_3$, OC $H_3$, N(C $H_3$)$_2$), respectively, as well as non-substituent (X=H).).ctively, as well as non-substituent (X=H).