The chiral [3+ 3] macrocycle 1 which displays a calixarene-like crystal structure has been synthesized. The UV/Vis and fluorescence spectral studies show that 1 and Zn2+ have a 1: 3 complex stoichiometry. It exhibits high selectivity toward Zn2+, but no significant responses toward other competitive cations. The intracellular imaging ability has been tested in HeLa cells using a confocal microscope.
