A pyrene-based fluorescent sensor for Zn2+ ions: a molecular 'butterfly'.

A simple pyrene-based triazole receptor has been synthesised and shown to self-assemble in the presence of ZnCl(2) in an exclusively 2:1 ratio, whereas a mixture of 2:1 and 1:1 ratios are observed for other Zn(2+) salts. The pyrene units are syn in orientation; this is supported by a strong excimer signal observed at 410 nm in the presence of ZnCl(2) in acetonitrile. DFT calculations and 2D NMR support the proposed structure.