Molecular traps based nitrobenzofurazan-appended pillar[5]arene having fluorescent sensing for biologically accumulable lanthanide ions

•New fluorescent macrorings based-on Pillar[5]arene was submitted.•The target macrocycles were monitored in the presence of lanthanide ions.•The macrocycles have a selective effect for Eu(III) and Yb(III) ions, respectively.•Moreover, the fluorescent sensitivity was also examined on living cells.