The synthesis and ion-binding properties of a new amide L derived from 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid are described. Due to the presence of a catechol unit, the compound interacts selectively with iron(III) in organic solvent (dimethyl sulfoxide, DMSO) to produce a color change from pale yellow to green. The incorporation of the ligand L into polymeric matrices or its encapsulation into surfactant-based spheres enables analyte detection in aqueous solutions. The influence of the ligand environment (i.e. organic solvent, polymeric membrane or micelle) on the properties of the sensing materials is analyzed and the sensors are compared.