A highly selective colorimetric and “turn-on” fluorimetric chemosensor for detecting CN− based on unsymmetrical azine derivatives in aqueous media

Abstract

A novel highly selective chemosensor S1 for cyanide based on unsymmetrical azine derivative was successfully designed and synthesized, which showed both colorimetric and fluorescence turn-on responses for cyanide ions in aqueous. This structurally simple chemosensor could detect CN− anion over other anions in aqueous solution DMSO/H2O (v/v=3:2) undergo deprotonation reaction. Results showed that the chemosensor S1 exhibited 50 fold enhancement in fluorescence at 530nm and showed an obvious change in color from colorless to yellow that could be detected by naked eye under the UV-lamp after the addition of CN− in aqueous solution. Moreover, the detection limit on fluorescence response of the sensor to CN− is down to 6.17×10−8M by titration method. Test strips based on S1 were obtain, which could be used as a convenient and efficient CN− test kit to detect CN− in aqueous solution.