Abstract: Fluorescent chemosensors based on supramolecular interactions are receiving increasing attention due to their potential in analytical chemistry and environmental monitoring. Podands possessing 8-hydroxyquinolino and triazole groups were synthesized via “click chemistry” reaction. Their spectrometric behaviors and the binding ability toward metal ions were investigated by fluorescence, UV-vis spectrum and NMR spectroscopy. With good water solubility, chemosensors 1 and 2 exhibited a distinct switch-on fluorescence response to Cd2+ and Zn2+ over other metal ions, according to which the chemosensory function are realized. Significantly, spectrophotometric studies also demonstrated that the proportion of methanol in aqueous solution greatly influent the selectivity and fluorescent emission ability of host compound. Additionally, 1H NMR analysis revealed that the 8-hydroxyquinolino and the triazole group, as well as the ether chains, were involved in the bonding interactions with the ions.

Key words: Fluorescent chemosensor; Cd2+; Zn2+; , Podand