Anion recognition by N,N′-diarylalkanediamides

The preparation of N,N′-diarylalkanediamides from the respective aliphatic dicarboxylic acids and 4-nitroaniline via microwave-prompted reactions is presented. The most positive effect of microwave irradiation was observed for N,N′-bis(4-nitrophenyl)butanediamide. Anion binding studies on the obtained diamides were carried out in DMSO and acetonitrile using UV–vis and 1H NMR spectroscopy. A mechanism for selective fluoride recognition by N,N′-bis(4-nitrophenyl)butanediamide in DMSO is proposed.