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Carboxylated pillar[5]arene (CP5) macrocycles were modified onto the surface of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) via covalent bonds to form new pillarene-functionalized RGO nanosheets, i.e., RGO-CP5. The obtained RGO-CP5 nanosheets capable of molecular recognition exhibited much better water-dispersibility and enhanced fluorescence-quenching property as compared with native RGO. This new sensing platform holds great potentials in the sensing and detection of analytes, such as organic dye molecules and pesticides, in aqueous solutions.

A highly efficient one-pot procedure for the preparation of fluorescein-based dyes with relatively high yield was investigated. Significantly, introduction of these fluoro and chloro functional groups and forming host-guest complexes with cyclodextrins partially enhanced the photostability of these dyes.

Three novel benzocrown ether derivatives have been synthesized and their cation binding behavior with uniand bi-valent metal ions was evaluated by the solvent extr action of aqueous metal picrates. The obtained results indicate that the size-fit of crown ether and metal cation, and electron effect of the side arm attached to benzocrown ethers affect their cation binding ability and selectivity.