A highly versatile fluorenone-based macrocycle for the sensitive detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and fluoride anions

Reported herein is the high yielding synthesis of a new fluorenone-based triazolophane and its sensing capabilities for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and fluoride anions. Fluorescence, UV/Vis and 1H NMR spectroscopy results showed the triazolophane has a high sensitivity for selected PAHs and binds the fluoride anion in a 2 : 1 stoichiometry via C–H hydrogen bonding with the triazole and fluorenone protons.