Acetate recognition by 2,6-bis(2-benzimidazolyl)pyridine.

2,6-Bis(2-benzimidazolyl)pyridine, bbp, a simple tridentate ligand, is employed as a receptor for the recognition of anions. The binding of anionic guest species with bbp can be studied in short duration using UV/vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy and (1)H NMR techniques at very low concentrations. The results obtained from the above spectroscopic techniques indicate that 2,6-bis(2-benzimidazolyl)pyridine is an efficient anion receptor providing chemical shift and optical modification based signals for the detection of acetate ions.