Acridinedione as selective flouride ion chemosensor: a detailed spectroscopic and quantum mechanical investigation.

The use of small molecules as chemosensors for ion detection is rapidly gaining popularity by virtue of the advantages it offers over traditional ion sensing methods. Herein we have synthesized a series of acridine(1,8)diones (7a-7l) and explored them for their potential to act as chemosensors for the detection of various anions such as fluoride (F), acetate (OAc), bromide (Br), iodide (I), bisulfate (HSO ), chlorate (ClO ), perchlorate (ClO ), cyanide (CN), and thiocyanate (SCN). Acridinediones were found to be highly selective chemosensors for fluoride ions only.