Ditopic N-crowned 4-(p-aminophenyl)-2,6-diphenylpyridines: Implications of macrocycle topology on the spectroscopic properties, cation complexation, and differential anion responses

The synthesis, characterization and analysis of a family of N-crowned 4-p-(aminophenyl)-2,6-diphenylpyriidines DA (1-6) as potential hosts for the signaling of cationic and anionic guests is described. The results have yielded recognition patterns for acetate, [F.sup.-] and C[N.sup.-], indicating the potential of simple chromogenic host-guest pairs for differential anion signaling.