A novel acetate selective chromogenic chemosensor based on phenanthroline.

A novel colorimetric anion-chemosensor based on 1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarbonyl-p-nitro-phenylhydrazine has been synthesized. Among the different anions tested, it shows the best selectivity towards AcO(-). The addition of acetate causes the color to change from yellow to red, which could be detected with naked eyes. The binding ability of chemosensor 1 with anions has been investigated through UV-vis spectral titrations. In addition, (1)H NMR experiment was carried out to explore the nature of interaction between chemosensor 1 and acetate.