A fluorescent and colorimetric receptor (L) for specific recognition of TNP was described. The origins of this remarkable affinity was disclosed by the crystal structure of corresponding host–guest complex L·TNP.
Two fluorescein-based chemosensors have been developed. They exhibited rapid and selective detection of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP) via fluorescence quenching both in ethanol and water solution when excited by visible light.