A quinolinium-derived turn-off fluorescent anion sensor

Abstract

A quinolinium-derived anion sensor has been synthesised which shows a turn-off fluorescence response in the presence of anions, with selectivity for acetate. The compound exhibits complex anion binding comprising of a host dimer, 2 : 1 and 1 : 1 host : guest species. Fluorescent quenching is due to both dynamic and static processes with charge transfer being the dominant mechanism.