The
synthesis and photophysical behavior of several naphthylurea derivatives used as chemosensors for detecting anionic
species is reported. In particular, compound 3 shows a photoinduced electron transfer (PET) process. The photophysical properties of 3 upon the addition of dicarboxylate anions have been studied. Results show that
fluorescence quenching of the naphthyl moiety and appearance of a new emission is induced by the formation
of a complex. The obtained fluorescence and 1H-NMR data indicate that a 1:1 stoichiometry complex is formed
between compound 3 and dicarboxylate anions through a hydrogen-bonding interaction. The selectivity
of 3
for recognition of different dicarboxylates depends on the chain length of the anionic species.