Anthracene-Based Receptors with a Turn-on Fluorescence Response for Nitrate.

Herein we describe the design, synthesis, and anion binding properties of bicyclic receptors with two or three anthracenes, which show a turn-on fluorescence response in the presence of nitrate and chaotropic anions in a buffered aqueous solution. The receptor with two anthracenes binds nitrate with 10³ M^-1 affinity and stabilizes it in the inner cavity though electrostatic, hydrogen bonding, and anion-π interactions.