A new ratiometric Ag+ fluorescent sensor based on aggregation-induced emission

The novel tetraphenylethylene(TPE)-based sensor 1 bearing bis(2-pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amine (BPA) units linked with triazole moieties could be obtained by click reaction efficiently. The results show that 1 can demonstrate a Ag+-specific emission shift and highly sensitive fluorescent enhancement with a 1:2 binding ratio based on the aggregation-induced emission mechanism. Compound 1 is shown to behave as a ratiometric sensor.