Tetraphenylethylene-embedded [15]paracyclophanes: AIEgen and macrocycle merged novel supramolecular hosts used for sensing Ni2+ ions

Transformation of [15]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 Ni2+ ions.