Room-temperature phosphorescent γ-cyclodextrin-cucurbit[6]uril-cowheeled [4]rotaxanes for specific sensing of tryptophan†
Abstract
Room temperature phosphorescent (RTP) γ-CD-CB[6]-cowheeled [4]rotaxanes were synthesized by implanting a naphthalene axle into the cavity of iodine-substituted γ-CDs. The strong green RTP was quenched exclusively by Trp while no RTP quenching was observed with other major physiological amino acids or with the Trp-containing protein HSA, demonstrating a highly specific sensing of free Trp.