A Preliminary Investigation of the Complexation of Dopamine by<i>p</i>‐Sulfonated Calix[4, 6] Arene and β‐Cyclodextrin Using Fluorescence Spectrometry

Abstract

Abstract The inclusion complexes of p‐sulfonated calix[4, 6] arene and β‐cyclodextrin with dopamine were studied by fluorescence spectrometry in aqueous media. It was found that the fluorescence intensity of dopamine regularly decreased upon the addition of p‐sulfonated calix[4, 6] arene, on the contrary, it increased upon the addition of β‐cyclodextrin. 1H NMR spectra were applied to verify the formation of the complexes. According to the experimental results, 1:1 stoichiometry for the complexes was established and their association constants at 25°C were calculated by applying a deduced equation. Judging from the magnitude of their inclusion constants, the p‐sulfonated calix[4, 6] arene showed better inclusion capability than β‐cyclodextrin. The probable interaction mechanisms are proposed.