Pyrene-1-carboxylic acid polyethylene glycol esters: synthesis and photophysical studies

Monoesters of tri- and tetraglycol and 1-pyrenecarboxylic acid were characterized for the first time by NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The photophysical properties of the compounds obtained were studied. A selective sensory response of the esters to nitro-containing explosives in an aqueous medium was revealed. The maximum value of the Stern—Volmer fluorescence quenching constant for 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene was found to be 1.13•104 L mol−1.