Tetraphenylethylene[3]arene: synthesis, structure, and sensing of I⁻

Abstract

Tetraphenylethylene[3]arene 1 was synthesized using 1,1′,4,4′-tetramethoxytetraphenylethylene and paraformaldehyde in dichloromethane. Host 1 exhibited strong bright blue fluorescence both in the solid state and THF–H 2 O mixtures with water f w ≥ 60%.