A chemosensor for dihydrogenphosphate based on an oxoazamacrocycle possessing three thiourea arms

We report a new H-bond macrocyclic chromogenic chemosensor in organic media, H33L, which displayed drastic changes in its UV–vis spectra revealing selectivity for dihydrogenphosphate over other inorganic anions, such as acetate or fluoride. The X-ray crystal structures of the [H444L⋯NO3]·(CH3CN)4 and [H444L⋯CF3CO2]·(CH3CN)2 salt complexes are also reported.