Azocalix[4]arene strapped calix[4]pyrrole: a confirmable fluoride sensor.

A new chromogenic fluoride sensor based on 1,3-di-p-nitrophenylazocalix[4]arene-calix[4]pyrrole (1) was designed and synthesized. The color of the solution of probe 1 changed upon the addition of any F(-), CH(3)CO(2)(-), PhCO(2)(-), and H(2)PO(4)(-) ions. However, from these ions the highly specific sensing of F(-) is achieved by the addition of Ca(2+) which leads to a color change from light sky blue (of 1·F(-)) back to the original light orange color of 1.