Sequential colorimetric sensor for copper (II) and cyanide ions via the complexation−decomplexation mechanism based on sugar pyrazolidine-3,5‑dione

Abstract

A simple colorimetric water soluble chemosensor for Cu2+ and subsequent CN− anions sensing was designed and fully characterized. The chemosensor consisted of a two sugar pyrazolidine-3,5‑dione derivatives linked by an ethylenediamine spacer. Colorimetric titration experiment of the presented probe reveals high selectivity and sensitivity toward Cu2+over other divalent cations in real samples. Furthermore, the Cu2+-chemosensor complex proved to be capable of sensing CN− anions in water by forming Cu(CN)2. The calculated LOD for Cu2+and CN− ions were calculated to be 0.19 and 0.48 µM respectively, which means that the presented probe allows largely the simultaneous detection and quantification of Cu2+ and CN− ions in water samples.