One-pot synthesis of indolizine functionalized nanohyperbranched polyesters with different nano morphologies and their fluorescent response to anthraceneElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c4py01529k

The structurally controllable hyperbranched HBPE-CIDAs (HBPE modified with CIDA units) were synthesized by modifying the periphery of the second generation hyperbranched polyester (HBPE) with 1-cyanoindolizine-3-carboxylic acid (CIDA) groups via a one-pot synthesis. The structures and self-assembly behaviors of HBPE-CIDAs were established by combined studies of FFT-IR, NMR, TEM, SEM, AFM and XRD. Furthermore, host-guest recognition of HBPE-CIDAs was investigated by fluorescence studies. The results indicated that the HBPE-CIDA 4 nanospindles have weaker response to various metal ions while having better selectivity to anthracene through π-π stacking interactions than the HBPE-CIDA 1 nanospheres. Two nanohyperbranched polyesters of HBPE-CIDA 1 (nanospheres) and HBPE-CIDA 4 (nanospindles) were synthesized. The HBPE-CIDA 4 was established to be a fluorescent sensor for anthracene.