s-Tetrazine and their derivatives are found to be a class of selective and colorimetric chemosensors for fluoride anions. The supramolecular interaction (anion–π and charge/electron transfer) between fluoride ion and π-electron deficient tetrazines receptor could facilitate the F−–tetrazines electron transfer (ET) event that generates tetrazine˙− radical anion. Accordingly, the color of its solution changed from red to green. Furthermore, the recognition of F− in DMSO is tolerant to water (DMSO–H2O = 9
:1, v/v) and shows excellent selectivity towards other anions, especially H2PO4− and OAc−.
Dalton Transactions
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