A novel sensing probe, 2-(perfluorophenyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-b]phenazine (PFIPZ) containing imidazole and phenazine units, has been successfully synthesized and can identify picric acid over other electron-deficient compounds or strong acids.
![Graphical abstract: A novel heteroacene 2-(perfluorophenyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-b]phenazine for selective sensing of picric acid](http://hg.y866.cn/compound/lib/scimg/usr/1/C6RA08547D.jpg)
