Two new anthracene-functionalized fluorescent tris-imidazolium salts have been synthesized, characterized, and proven to be selective sensors for picric acid, which is a common constituent of many powerful explosives. Theoretical studies revealed an unusual ground-state electron transfer from picrate anion to the sensor molecules.
KARBACH, S.;VOEGTLE, F., CHEM. BER., 1982, 115, N 2, 427-434