Host–guest chemistry of pyrene-based molecular receptors

The design and synthesis of molecular fluorescent sensors that are able to detect cations and anions via changes in fluorescence intensity either by a fluorescence “turn on”, e.g., excimer formation or by a “turn off”, i.e., excimer quenching, is an area of current interest. There has been a plethora of work dedicated to the development of fluorescent chemosensors in the field of supramolecular chemistry. This article will focus on a particular type of molecular receptors, those that contain a pyrene functional group that has been incorporated into the design of the molecular framework. This article will focus on three broad types of pyrene-based molecular receptors: (i) dipodal molecular receptors, (ii) “bowl” shaped receptors in the form of calixarenes and their derivatives, and (iii) metal-induced self-assembled systems.