Tetraphenylethylene-embedded [1 5 ]paracyclophanes: AIEgen and macrocycle merged novel supramolecular hosts used for sensing Ni 2+ ions.

Transformation of [1 5 ]paracyclophanes ([15]PCP) into fluorophores has been achieved by embedding tetraphenylethene (TPE) units into their skeletons at the meso -positions. The obtained two hosts demonstrated distinct aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties and their fluorescence could be selectively quenched by Ni 2+ ions.