A class of novel heterocyclic compounds 1a-1c has been designed and synthesized. And our initial discovery is that these compounds can effectively recognize HSO4-. With the addition of HSO4 -, a new energy band appears at 360-390 nm in the absorption spectra. The emission spectrum (λex = 328 nm) undergoes an important change in its fluorescent effect in the presence of HSO4-. All available data (absorption and emission) strongly support the formation of hydrogen-bonded complexes between 1a and 1c and HSO4-. ©2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
