A novel calix[4]arene-modified porphyrin-based dual-modal sensor for the specific detection of dopamine with excellent performance

A novel calix[4]arene-functionalized porphyrin derivative H2T[C4AP)(Pyr)3]P (1) has been designed, synthesized and characterized. A combination of the effective molecular recognition/enrichment and good optoelectronic properties derived from calix[4]arene and pyrene substituents as well as the π-conjugated porphyrin skeleton leads to the fluorometric and voltammetric dual-modal sensing activity of 1 to DA in the range of 1 - 50 μM and 2 - 100 μM, respectively, with remarkable specificity, representing the first multi-modal molecular sensor to DA.