Ratiometric Detection of Adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP) and Cytidine-5′-triphosphate (CTP) with a Fluorescent Spider-Like Receptor in Water

A series of water-soluble spider-like receptor molecules has been developed by the Schiff-base condensation of tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (TRIS) with various 2,6-diformylphenol (dfp) derivatives. The products were assessed for their anion sensing properties. Among these, the receptor with a methoxy substituent showed selective fluorescent sensing towards adenosine-5-triphosphate (ATP) and cytidine-5-triphosphate (CTP) in contrasting modes in 100% aqueous media at pH 7.2.