A brief review on indole (tryptophan) based-fluoride anion receptors

This review article gives a brief description about critical factors pursuing to the importance of indole based receptors in recognizing halide anions specifically Fˉ anions from a biological, chemical and environmental perspective. Using representative examples, we analyse the design strategy of a few indole based anion receptors which involve mainly H-bonding, specifically indole NH…halide/Fˉ interaction. Further, we present illustrative examples to demonstrate the novel features of these interactions, how such interactions can contribute to anion-binding, recognition and catalytic events.