Hexaphenylbenzene-based fluorescent aggregates for detection of zinc and pyrophosphate ions in aqueous media: Tunable self-assembly behaviour and construction of a logic device

Abstract

Hexaphenylbenzene based derivative 7 has been synthesized which formed spherical aggregates in mixed aqueous media. These aggregates exhibited an “on–on” response towards Zn²⁺S ions in aqueous media. Further, this sensing event was accompanied by the modulation of the self-assembly of aggregates from spherical structures to microrods in aqueous media. This in situ prepared 7-Zn²⁺S ensemble was utilized as a “not quenched” probe for the selective and sensitive detection of PPi ions in aqueous media. In addition, based upon the fluorescent signals of derivative 7 as outputs (λ_em = 450 and 370 nm) in the presence of chemical inputs (Zn²⁺S and PPi), we developed a combinatorial logic circuit with INHIBIT and AND gates.