Two chiral fluorescence hosts (1, 2) based on L-alanine and 2,7-dihydroxynaphthalene were synthesized and their structures were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, mass spectra and elemental analysis. The chiral recognition property of such hosts was studied by ¹H NMR and fluorescence spectra. The results demonstrate that hosts 1 and 2 with bis(tetrabutylammonium) dibenzoyl tartrate formed 1∶1 complexes. The host 1 exhibit a good chiral recognition ability toward the enantiomers of bis(tetrabutylammonium) dibenzoyl tartrate.

Key words: chiral hosts, synthesis, fluorescence sensor, chiral recognition, amino acid derivative