Altered selectivity of a dipicolylamine based metal ion receptor.

2,2-Dipicolylamine (DPA) based receptors detect Zn(2+) with high fidelity. A fluorescent sensor with thiocarbamate-linked DPA turns it into a highly selective module for Ag(+) with up to ~7-fold enhancement of fluorescence. The sensor exhibits a double ratiometric behavior. It also displays an interesting [Ag(+)] dependent aggregation induced emission.