Cu(II) complex of an abiotic receptor as highly selective fluorescent sensor for acetate

A copper complex having quinoline moiety as fluorophore has been synthesized. The anion recognition behavior of the receptor and its copper complex has been studied in acetonitrile and in acetonitrile: H2O (95:5 v/v). The copper complex shows high selectivity toward acetate over other anions studied such as F−, Cl−, Br−, I−, OAc−, dl-malate, l-mandelate, benzoate, isophthalate, H 2 PO 4 - , NO 3 - and HSO 4 - .