Fluorescent detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ternary cyclodextrin complexes

Reported herein is a new method for the detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which relies on energy transfer from the PAH to a near-infrared emitting squaraine fluorophore. This energy transfer occurs inside the-cyclodextrin cavity, with up to 35% emission observed from energy transfer compared with exciting the squaraine directly.