Photoactive chemosensors 4: a Cu2+ protein cavity mimicking fluorescent chemosensor for selective Cu2+ recognition

Fluorescent chemosensor 3 can sense Cu2+ ions (1–8 μM) even in the presence of elevated levels of Ni2+, Cd2+, Zn2+, Hg2+, Ag+ and Pb2+ (5000 μM). 3 can also analyze for Ag+ ions (50–500 μM) in the presence of Ni2+, Cd2+, Zn2+, Hg2+ and Pb2+ (5000 μM) but Cu2+ strongly interferes.