| Abstract: | The anthryl‐functionalized open‐chain polyaza‐alkanes L 1 , L 2 , and L 3 have been synthesized, and their activity as fluorescent chemosensors has been studied in MeCN/H2O 70 : 30 (v/v) and H2O at 25° against the anions bromide, phosphate, sulfate, ATP, ADP, and GMP. The crystal structure of L 3 has been solved by single‐crystal X‐ray‐diffraction techniques. The emission intensity of L 1 and L 2 is selectively quenched in the presence of ATP at acidic pH in MeCN/H2O 70 : 30 (v/v). In H2O, the emission intensity of L 1 and L 2 is enhanced at neutral pH in the presence of ADP and ATP. The sensing behavior is discussed in terms of H‐bonding or electrostatic anion‐cation interactions. Receptor L 3 does not show any significant change in fluorescence emission upon addition of anions. Protonation constants of the three ligands and stability constants of L 2 with phosphate and sulfate were determined by potentiometric titration in MeCN/H2O. The stability constants obtained are compared with those obtained for the interaction of these anions with related open‐chain polyamines. |
