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

•Chemosensor S1 was designed with ease of synthesis.•Sensor S1 demonstrates specifically selective fluorescence recognition to CN−.•Receptor S1 shows highly selective colorimetric response for CN−.•The probe S1 responds with CN− in aqueous solution system.•Test strips of S1 were prepared and convenient and rapidly detected CN−.

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 530 nm 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− 8 M 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.

Graphical abstractA simple cyanide highly selective and sensitive fluorescent enhanced chemosensor S1 based on unsymmetrical azine derivatives had been designed and synthesized.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide