Fluorescence enhancement and end-to-end assembly of bisacridinedione-gold nanorods by calcium ions.

Gold nanorod end-to-end assembly is demonstrated by the selective complexation of a bisacridinedione foldamer with Ca(2+). This setup can be applied as a chemosensor for Ca(2+) ions, as the complex shows selective red-shifting of the nanorod plasmon peak and enhancement in fluorescence from the acridinedione moieties upon exposure to Ca(2+) .