The effect of heavy metals on the anthracene-Me-β-cyclodextrin host-guest inclusion complexes

Anthracene was used to form an inclusion complex with methylated--cyclodextrin (Me-beta-CD) in water. In aqueous Me--CD solution, typical fluorescence emission of anthracene was observed. Benesi-Hildebrand's method was used to obtain the stoichiometry of the anthracene-Me--CD complex. The Stern-Volmer quenching constants, K-sv, and fluorescence quantum yields were calculated according to changes in the fluorescence emission intensity of anthracene-Me-beta-CD inclusion complexes by adding various amounts of Pb2+ and Cd2+ salts in water. The K-sv values and fluorescence quantum yields indicate that Pb2+ salts quench the anthracene-Me-beta-CD inclusion complexes more efficiently than Cd2+ salts.