Detection of the pesticide dodine using a cucurbit[10]uril-based fluorescent probe

A new fluorescent probe which is capable of the selective recognition and determination of dodine (DD) from 14 different pesticides is reported. The probe is constructed from a combination of cucurbit[10]uril (Q and protonated acridine (MeAD), and makes use of the strong fluorescence ability of MeAD in aqueous solution versus the lack of fluorescence for the homoternary inclusion complex MeAD 2@Q[10]. Addition of pesticide DD to an aqueous solution of MeAD2@Q[10], results in MeAD displacement and subsequent recovery of the strong fluorescence.