Amine-functionalized alpha-cyanostilbene derivatives (Z)-2-(4-aminophenyl)-3-(4-butoxyphenyl) acrylonitrile (ABA) and (Z)-3-(4-butoxyphenyl)-2-[4-(butylamino) phenyl] acrylonitrile (BBA) were designed for specific recognition of picric acid (PA), an environmental and biological pollutant. The 1:1 host-guest complexes formed between the chemosensors and PA enhanced fluorescencequenching, thus leading to sensitive and selective detection in aqueous media and the solid phase.