Selective recognition and discrimination of H2PO2- and F- based on a cleft-shaped anion receptor incorporating bisamide and bispyrrole groups

A simple anion receptor incorporating bisamide and bispyrrole groups as recognition sites was synthesised, and its binding properties towards anions were studied by UV-vis, H-1 NMR, ESI-MS spectra and theoretical calculations. This receptor exhibited a selective complexation with biologically important H2PO4- and F- over other anions tested in dry CH3CN. Significantly, the discrimination of these two anions could be realised via the obviously different UV-vis readouts of the receptor.