Selective recognition of acetate ion by perimidinium-based receptors

The first perimidinium-based receptors 1 and 2 have been designed and synthesized. The anion binding properties of the receptors were evaluated in DMSO by UV-vis, fluorescence spectroscopy, and 1H NMR methods. The results demonstrate that both receptors 1 and 2 exhibit good selectivity to acetate. The (C-H)+⋯X− type ionic hydrogen bonding between the perimidinium moieties and acetate is the key interaction for the recognition.