[Ru(tpy)(H4bbdip)]2+ as an anion-selective colorimetric sensor

A new ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complex [Ru(tpy)(H4bbdip)]2+ (1) (tpy = terpyridine, H4bbdip = 2,6-bis(benzo[1,2-d:4,5-d′]diimidazole-2′-yl)pyridine) was developed as an optical sensor with selective colorimetric responses toward F− and OAc− over other tested anions (Cl−, Br−, I−, NO3−, HSO4−, H2PO4−).