Two new colorimetric anion sensors have been synthesised where both a benzophenone group and a nitrophenyl group were used as signalling units and urea/thiourea moieties as binding sites. The receptors, effectively and selectively, recognised fluoride and carboxylate anions from other anions such as chloride, bromide, iodide, perchlorate, hydrogen sulphate and nitrate in DMSO.

A novel chromogenic anion receptor 1 based on acylhydrazone and pyrazole has been designed and synthesized. Receptor 1 forms stable 1 : 1 complexes with dihydrogen phosphate and other halide anions in DMSO solution.

The present protocol describes a highly efficient, transition metal and solvent-free one-pot annulation of amines, dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates and β-nitrostyrene using imidazolium Brønsted acidic ionic liquid for the synthesis of tetrasubstituted pyrroles. A diverse functionalized tetrasubstituted pyrroles derivatives were obtained with excellent yields under transition metal and solvent-free conditions. The Brønsted acidic ionic liquid can be easily recovered and reused for the next reaction without any effects on the yields of the products. This green protocol provides structurally complex, medicinally important tetrasubstituted pyrroles with various substitution patterns in a one-pot operation.