Abstract

Here in, we are reporting electron deficient amide and sulfonamide based tripodal receptors L, L1, L2 and L3. Systematic studies show a strong selectivity towards cyanide and azide anions. Detailed UV–Visible and fluorescent spectrometric investigation shows the amide based tripodal receptors L and L3 acts as a colorimetric and turn-on fluorescent chemo-sensor for cyanide, and the sulfonamide based tripodal receptors L1 and L2 acts as a colorimetric and turn-off fluorescent chemo-sensor for azide. At the end we have successfully prepared tripodal receptors for a particular anion with judicious choice of recognition elements such as hydrogen bonding amide/sulfonamide moiety, electron deficient pentafluorophenyl functionality for anion-π interaction and the well defined C3v symmetric tripodal backbone for perfect recognition.