Fluorescent detection of anions by dibenzophenazine-based sensors

Binding studies of two sulfonamide-functionalized dibenzophenazine-based sensors are reported. Spectroscopic studies showed that both sensors are effective fluorescent turn-on sensors for several anions. Both sensors showed responses to acetate, benzoate, cyanide, and fluoride ions. NMR titrations confirmed the mode of binding of the sensors to be through H-bonding to the sulfonamide groups.