Abstract A number of 2-substituted imidazolidines were synthesized from N, N′- dibenzylethane-1, 2-diamine derivatives and benzaldehyde, naphthalene-1-carbaldehyde, 2-hydroxynaphthalene-1-carbaldehyde, and anthracene-9-carbaldehyde. Examination of the obtained compounds by spectral methods revealed selective sensor properties of 2- (anthracen-9-yl)-1, 3-dibenzylimidazolidine and 2-(anthracen-9-yl)-1, 3-bis (2- ...