A new symmetrically modified α-cyclodextrin tripode: selective metal complexation and fluorescence properties

A new tripodal α-cyclodextrin having three ureido-bipyridyl tethers symmetrically distributed on its upper rim was prepared in one step by the polymer supported ‘phosphine imide’ reaction in a medium yield. As expected, the highly selective complexation properties towards ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ cations were maintained with regards to the URFT-Cd (upper rim fully tethered) family previously investigated. Its EuIII and TbIII lanthanide complex fluorescence behaviour clearly indicates that a limited number of tethers allow a better bis-heterocyclic antenna self-organisation around the cation leading to enhanced fluorescence properties.