The Difference in Sensing Properties Towards Anions between Two Pyridinium Amide-Based Receptors with a Subtle Change of H-Bond Position

Two pyridinium amide-based receptors L1 and L2 with a small difference of H-bond position of the amide have been synthesized and characterized. Interestingly, they exhibited a huge difference in sensing towards AcO- and H2PO4 -, respectively. Receptor L1 was found to be ‘naked-eye’ selective for AcO- anions, while receptor L2 showed clear fluorescence enhancement selective to H2PO4 - anion. The recognition ability has been established by fluorescence emission, UV-vis spectra, and 1HNMR titration.