Self-assemblies of anionic-unit-introduced anion-responsive π-electronic molecules.

The introduction of a carboxy unit onto dipyrrolyldiketone skeletons was achieved by complexation with arylfluoroboron moieties bearing an acid group. Carboxylate-appended anion-responsive π-electronic molecules, formed upon deprotonation, provided anion-binding self-assemblies, as anionic supramolecular polymers, resulting in ion-pairing assemblies.