Novel 5, 5-dioxidophenothiazine-1, 9-diacetamide and-dibenzamide receptor molecules were prepared starting from commercially available and relatively cheap chemicals. The anion recognition properties of these two diamides were investigated using UV–vis spectroscopy. Chloride formed a simple hydrogen-bonded complex with the diacetamide receptor, while fluoride, acetate and dihydrogen phosphate deprotonated both sensor ...