Rational design of a fluorescent receptor for the recognition of anthrax biomarker dipicolinate.

A new carbazole-2,7-dicarboxamide derivative has been synthesised and has been proved to effectively bind the dipicolinate anion, which is commonly used as an anthrax biomarker. The fluorescent response from this synthetic receptor offers a selective colour change in an organic-aqueous environment that is of valuable analytical use.