The development of a simple imidazole-based probe for the selective detection of cyanide ion in real samples

Abstract

In the present work, a simple and highly selective colorimetric chemosensor (CS-02), was designed and synthesized from 5(4)-amino-4(5) -(amino carbonyl)-imidazole hydrochloride and 5-(4-chloro phenyl) furan-2-carbaldehyde. The formation of the CS-02 (E)-5-amino-N-((5-(4-chlorophenyl) furan-2-yl) methylene)-1H-imidazole-4-carboxamide was confirmed by 1HNMR and Mass spectral techniques. The receptor CS-02 was found to show a colorimetric response of the colour change from Light yellow to Cyber yellow towards CN− ion, due to de-protonation and intra-ligand charge transfer. The receptor CS-02 interacts with cyanide in a 1:1 stoichiometric manner with a detection limit of 10.39 × 10−5 M. Receptor CS-02 could be recyclable by treatment with TFA. The sensing behaviour of the receptor was further enunciated by computational studies and it’s also be efficiently used to detect trace amounts of cyanide present in Real samples such as tobacco, flax seeds, apple seeds, cigarette and Indian cigarette. Moreover, a visible colorimetric kit such as a test paper strip would be used in the CS-02 for practical applications.