Carboxylate selective anion receptor based on two anthracenes with malonamide spacer

Acetate selective anion receptor 1 based on two anthracenes with malonamide spacer has been designed and synthesized. Fluorescence and 1H NMR titration clearly showed that receptor 1 is a good sensor in the selective recognition for carboxylate anions over other anions such as I−, Br−, Cl−, HSO 4 - , H 2 PO 4 - and NO 3 - . In this receptor 1, all the four hydrogens from amide and carbamate were involved in bonding with carboxylate ion.