Cross-conjugated cruciform fluorophores based on 1,4-distyryl-2,5-bis(arylethynyl)benzene and benzobisoxazole nuclei can be used to qualitatively identify diverse Lewis acidic and Lewis basic analytes. This method relies on the differences in emission colors of the cruciforms that are observed upon analyte addition. Structurally closely related species can be distinguished from each other.
Schwaebel, T., Lirag, R. C., Davey, E. A., Lim, J., Bunz, U. H. F., Miljanić, O. Š. Qualitative Identification of Carboxylic Acids, Boronic Acids, and Amines Using Cruciform Fluorophores. J. Vis. Exp. (78), e50858, doi:10.3791/50858 (2013).