Synthesis of Schiff Base Bearing Phenolic Hydroxy Group and Its Anion Recognition

A new anion receptor bearing phenolic hydroxy group based on 3,5-ditertbutylsalicylaldehyde-p-nitrophenylhydrazone (1) was designed and synthesized. Upon addition of AcO^- and F^-, the receptor exhibited visible color changes from deep yellow to purple. However, no obvious color changes were observed on addition of the other anions tested (H₂PO₄^-, Cl^-, Br^-, I^-). The binding properties of the receptor with anions such as AcO^- and F^- were investigated by UV-Vis and fluorescent titrations. The result indicated that the receptor 1 had a higher affinity to AcO^- and F^- and a 1:1 host-guest complex was formed through H-bond interactions between 1 and anions.