Abstract
New colorimetric receptors R1 and R2 with varied positional substitution of a cyano and nitro signaling unit having a hydroxy functionality as the hydrogen bond donor site have been designed, synthesized and characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The receptors R1 and R2 exhibit prominent visual response for F- and AcO- ions allowing the real time analysis of these ions in aqueous media. The formation of the receptor-anion complexes has been supported by UV-vis titration studies and confirmed through binding constant calculations. The anion binding process follows a first order rate equation and the calculated rate constants reveal a higher order of reactivity for AcO- ions. The 1H NMR titration and TDDFT studies provide full support of the binding mechanism. The Hg2+ and F- ion sensing property of receptor R1 has been utilized to arrive at "AND" and "INHIBIT" molecular logic gate applications.