N,N-Dimethylamine and N,N-diphenylaminedecorated highly fluorescent imidazole borates have been synthesized and investigated as new fluorophores for the selective detection of trinitrophenol/picric acid (PA). Structural studies of a probe 1 and PA (1.PPM) complex revealed that the adduct formed by the deprotonation of PA by the -NMe2 group along with weak interactions is responsible for the selective detection of PA over other polynitrated organic compounds.