Spectroscopic and theoretical evaluation of solvent-assisted, cyanide selectivity of chromogenic sensors grounded on mesitylene platform and their biological applications

A series of mesitylene based ratiometric chromogenic sensors (1–3) have been synthesized and evaluated for selective cyanide detection in aqueous medium. Low hydration energy and high basicity of CN− in water is shown to be responsible for selective behavior of probes in the aqueous medium. Spectroscopic and theoretical studies endorse frozen proton transfer as the sensing mechanism. The compounds also show considerable antimicrobial activity.

Graphical abstractA series of mesitylene based ratiometric chromogenic sensors (1–3) have been synthesized and evaluated for selective cyanide detection in aqueous medium. Low hydration energy and high basicity of CN− in water is shown to be responsible for selective behavior of probes in the aqueous medium. Spectroscopic and theoretical studies endorse frozen proton transfer as the sensing mechanism. The compounds also show considerable antimicrobial activity.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide