A fluorescent chemosensor for paeonol based on tetramethoxy resorcinarene tetraoxyacetic acid

A fluorescent chemosensor for paeonol based on tetramethoxy resorcinarene tetraoxyacetic acid (TRTA) in hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) medium was investigated. The fluorescence of TRTA was quenched by paeonol due to the formation of weak fluorescent inclusion complex (Paeonol–TRTA), and the fluorescence quenching (ΔF = FTRTA − FPaeonol–TRTA) was sensitized in CTAB. Under the optimal conditions, the linear range of calibration curve for the determination of paeonol was 0.02–6.40 μg/mL. The detection limit estimated and RSD was 12.05 ng/mL, 2.57% (n = 3, c = 1.0 μg/mL). The mechanism of determination was discussed by quenching type analysis, absorption spectrum titrations, Benesi–Hildebrand method, fluorescence quantum yield and IR spectra. This method has also been applied for the determination of paeonol in real sample with satisfactory result.