A New Approach to Chemosensors for Anions Using MCM-41 Grafted with Amino Groups

Use of functionalized MCM-41 solids as anion sensing systems has been demonstrated for the first time. The combination of the binding properties of molecular receptors with the structural characteristics of solid, inorganic surfaces leads to remarkably enhanced anion sensing response. The Figure shows a schematic view of a solid surface, with 300 Å diameter holes that are filled with aminoanthracene molecules.