Novel chromogenic macrocyclic molecular probes with logic gate function using anion/cation inputs

•Two novel macrocyclic molecular probes 1 and 2 were reported.•Probes 1 and 2 were used to recognize different anions in DMSO solution.•With systems 1 and 2, IFNOT logic operations can be achieved.

Two novel macrocyclic molecular probes linked to two nitrophenylurea and two nitrophenylthiourea groups, respectively, are reported. It was found that these systems can recognize different anions (OH−, F−, CN− with the nitrophenylurea probe, and OH−, F−, CN−, CH3COO− and H2PO4− with the nitrophenylthiourea probe) resulting in a red shift of electronic transition and correspondingly color-switching the probes. In addition, based on above sensing mechanism with the probes, IFNOT logic operations can be achieved using OH− and Cu2+ ion as inputs, and/or F− and Hg2+, respectively, making the probes, promising candidate for further applications in molecular logic devices.

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