A highly selective colorimetric and turn-on fluorescent probe for cyanide anion

A new colorimetric and turn-on fluorescence chemosensor was developed for cyanide anion with high selectivity in the presence of other anions in an aqueous THF solution. The sensing mechanism is attributed to the interruption of π-conjugation by a nucleophilic addition of cyanide to the β-position of a dicyanoethylene unit.