Colorimetric and luminescent sensing of F- anion through strong anion-pi interaction inside the pi-acidic cavity of a pyridyl-triazine bridged trinuclear Re(I)-tricarbonyl diimine complex

A trinuclear star-shaped organometallic host with a pi-acidic interior cavity has been synthesized and this shows a strong anion-pi interaction with PF6-, as demonstrated in the crystal structure and colorimetric and luminescent responses with F- anion in solution.