Ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor for silver ion at physiological pH

Bis-pyrene derivative 1, bearing two pyrene and pyridine groups, was synthesized as a ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor for Ag⁺ in aqueous solution. Fluorescent chemosensor 1 displayed a selective ratiometric change with Ag⁺, which was attributed to the excimer-monomer emissions of pyrenes. A mechanism for the binding mode was proposed based on fluorescence changes, NMR experiments, and theoretical calculations.