Cooperative ratiometric chemosensors: pinwheel receptors with an integrated fluorescence system.

The synthesis and fluorescent properties of a second generation cooperative chemical sensor are described. The sensor has two interacting binding pockets for cooperative recognition of two analytes. Cooperative binding activates a ratiometric fluorescent response via formation of an excimer. Binding was characterized by NMR, absorption, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The advantages of separating the recognition elements from the fluorescent response elements are discussed.