Tetraphenylethylene[3]arene: synthesis, structure, and sensing of I

A novel luminous macrocyclic arene, named tetraphenylethylene[3]arene 1, was conveniently synthesized by Lewis acid-promoted one-pot condensation of 1,1′,4,4′-tetramethoxytetraphenylethylene and paraformaldehyde in dichloromethane at room temperature. 1 showed a unique stretched hexagon structure and exhibited strong bright blue fluorescence both in the solid state and THF–H 2 O mixtures with water f w ≥ 60%. In particular, it was found that 1 exhibited exceptional performance in selective sensing of I − ions among other anions such as AcO − , NO 3 − , ClO 4 − , HSO 4 − , F − , Cl − , Br − , PF 6 − , H 2 PO 4 − , BF 4 − and CO 3 F 3 S − .