Amine-functionalized a-cyanostilbene derivatives(Z)-2-(4-aminophenyl)-3-(4-butoxyphenyl)acrylonitrile (ABA)and (Z)-3-(4-butoxyphenyl)-2-[4-(butylamino)phenyl]acryloni-trile (BBA) were designed for specific recognition of picricacid (PA), an environmental and biological pollutant. The 1:1host–guest complexes formed between the chemosensorsand PA enhanced fluorescence quenching, thus leading tosensitive and selective detection in aqueous media and thesolid phase. Introduction The development of highly selective and sensitive sensors forthe detection of high explosives, such as 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene(TNT), 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT), and picric acid (PA), has attract-ed much attention in the areas of national security and envi-ronmental protection. [1] Among various explosives, PA has far-ranging use in military facilities; in the leather, pharmaceutical,and blasting industries; and as sensitizers. [2] Moreover, PAcauses chronic toxification owing to its potential damage toorgans such as the respiratory system and the liver.