Recognition properties of the novel bis(carbazole) tris-ureidic-based receptors 1 and 2 toward different anions have been studied by (1)H NMR and absorption and emission spectroscopy, as well as by DFT calculations. Receptor 1, in which the two urea-functionalized arms are decorated with p-nitrophenyl rings, behaves as a highly selective chromogenic molecular probe for hydrogenpyrophosphate anion in a competitive medium (acetonitrile/water, 70/30). Receptor 2, bearing two urea arms decorated with photoactive pyrenyl rings, acts as a highly selective fluorescent molecular probe for hydrogenpyrophosphate anion in either acetonitrile or an aqueous mixture (acetonitrile/water, 85/15). Receptor 2 exhibits a dual monomer-excimer emission spectrum and undergoes a remarked ratiometry in acetonitrile in the presence of hydrogenpyrophosphate: the excimer band disappears, whereas the monomer band is slightly increased. However, in the aqueous mixture, a strong increase of the excimer emission band was observed, while the monomer emission bands remained almost unaffected. The resulting binding modes and spectroscopic features are explained by suitable structures of model complexes for both receptors. In such complexes, a peripheral cooperative effect was found, alleviating the excess of negative charge in the guest toward the outer surface of the host, as well as the required enlargement on its internal cavity.

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A new carbazole-2,7-dicarboxamide derivative has been synthesised and has been proved to effectively bind the dipicolinate anion, which is commonly used as an anthrax biomarker. The fluorescent response from this synthetic receptor offers a selective colour change in an organic-aqueous environment that is of valuable analytical use.

Benzodipyrrolic derivatives have been synthesised and evaluated as neutral receptors for anions, in a mixed acetone-water media.

A new tripodal receptor and a novel dyed mesoporous material are presented. The presence of thioureas conjugated with azobenzene chromophores enables the selective colorimetric detection of mercury(II) cations in THF through a remarkable colour change from yellow to deep purple.

Self-assembled monolayers on gold of a multidentate adsorbate bearing a bis(carbazolyl)urea unit are prepared and used as a surface resonance plasmon sensor for the detection of hydrogen pyrophosphate anions under physiological conditions.

Anion recognition studies have been carried out on a series of neutral synthetic receptors in which carbazole-2-carboxamide has been used as building block. Different ligands which include one to three carbazole units in their structure have been prepared. Binding experiments have been performed under competitive conditions in DMSO and DMSO-water solutions. The tripodal receptor offered a better host-guest association due to the synergistic effect of a well arranged set of hydrogen bonds. A selective response towards the biologically important pyrophosphate anion has been achieved. This selectivity is enhanced when studies are carried out with an increasing water content, which gets as high as 20% (v/v) in NMR experiments. The significance of this result lies in the use of a neutral receptor which exclusively interacts with the anionic guest through hydrogen bonding. The influence of multiple equilibria in the studied system has been analysed. Several techniques ((1)H NMR, (31)P NMR, mass spectrometry, diffusion-NMR, ITC, absorption and emission spectroscopy) have been employed to get a better understanding of the different processes taking place in solution for the evaluated receptors.