Two novel anion sensors, methyl 4-(5(5-chloro-2-hydroxypheny1)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-y1) benzoate (L1) and methyl 4-(5-(2-hydroxypheny1)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-y1) benzoate (12) were reported. Their spectro-scopic and colorimetric properties in CH2Cl2/CH3CN (1:2, v/v) solution for F- sensing were investigated by naked-eye, UV-vis, and fluorescence measurements. Both molecules with coplanar structure possess adjacent phenolic hydroxyl and 1,3,4-oxadiazole units, resulting in a sufficiently strong intramolecular hydrogen bond to hinder the association of most anions, but not F-, with phenolic hydroxyl hydrogen. They displayed the same color changes from colorless to yellow but different optical shifts upon addition of F-. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.