A ditopic fluorescent sensor for potassium fluoride

The addition of potassium fluoride ʹswitches onʹ the fluorescence of sensors 1 and 2 while potassium chloride and bromide cause no fluorescence change; the fluorescence can be ʹswitched offʹ by removing the potassium cation from the benzocrown ether receptors of sensors 1 and 2 through the addition of [2.2.2]-cryptand and restored by the addition of the potassium cation as potassium chloride.