Triazole‐Linked Pyrene Sugar Analogue for Recognition of Picric Acid in Aqueous Medium

Abstract Triazole‐linked pyrene sugar analogue 1 was introduced to recognize picric acid (PA) in an H 2 O‐CH 3 CN (9:1, v/v) solution. The selection ability of 1 toward PA was examined by absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy. The spectroscopic studies of 1 with various nitroaromatics suggested the selectivity and sensitivity of 1 toward PA over other nitroaromatics. The Stern–Volmer quenching constant for PA was 4.96 × 10 5 M −1 with an effective decreasing quantum yield. The DFT calculation and fluorometric studies revealed that the formation of a ground‐state complex between pyrene and PA is responsible for fluorescence quenching. The sugar analogue formed a 1:1 adduct with PA and could detect PA of a minimum concentration of 0.05 µM. The practical application of the receptor was established by recovering PA from natural water bodies. The binding mechanism indicated that the triazole moiety in the receptor has a vital role in accelerating the quenching process through H‐bonding with the phenolic ‐OH of PA.