Triphenylene based copper ensemble for the detection of cyanide ions

Abstract

The binding behavior of triphenylene based copper ensemble prepared in situ has been investigated toward various anions (F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, CH₃COO⁻, H₂PO₄⁻, NO₃⁻, OH⁻, ClO₄⁻, CN⁻, CO₃⁻ and SO₄⁻) by UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Among various anions tested, 1–Cu²⁺2+2+ ensemble shows selective and sensitive response towards cyanide ions and responds to CN⁻ ions even in the presence of bovine serum albumin and in blood serum milieu. Further, as practical application of compound 1, we utilized the TLC strips coated with THF solution of 1 for the solid state detection of copper and cyanide ions.