[en] New, C₃ symmetric, tripodal trifluoroacetophenone derivatives 1-3 have been synthesized as anion ionophores. Evaluation of their ion selectivity has been carried out through ion-selective electrode membranes. The selectivity coefficients for the carbonates electrode toward various anions are dependent on the composition of the membranes and the lipophilicity of the ionophores. The tripodal ionophore 1a showed an improved selectivity toward salicylate when 90 mol% of a lipophilic additive was used, compared to that of p-dodecyltrifluoroacetophenone