A chloride selective sensor based on a calix[4]arene possessing a urea moiety

New calix[4]arene derivative 1 of 1,3-alternate conformation with a ureido moiety has been synthesized in high yield and examined for its anion recognition abilities towards anions such as fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, nitrate and acetate by 1H NMR and UV–vis spectroscopy. The results show that receptor has strong binding affinity for chloride ions. A chloride ion selective electrode (ISE) was also formed which showed excellent selectivity over all the other anions tested. The limit of detection is 2.51 × 10−5 mol dm−3.