A fluorogenic and chromogenic dual sensor for the detection of cyanide and copper(ii) in water samples and living cells

Abstract

Here we describe a simple fluorescent sensor based on intra molecular charge transfer to detect cyanide in aqueous media selectively with a very good detection limit and cascade recognition of aq. copper(II) ions. Fluorescence quenching was observed due to the Michael addition of cyanide to the dicyanovinyl group of the receptor. A bright yellow solution of R turned colorless during the addition of cyanide ions whereas an intense red solution was obtained during the addition of copper(II) ions. It forms a 1 : 1 adduct with cyanide with a detection limit of 1.76 nM. HRMS of the copper complex formed confirms a 1 : 1 stoichiometric ratio. The sensor has been successfully applied to detect cyanide in water samples. Fluorescence imaging experiments in living cells were also performed, which conclude that the sensor can monitor cyanide in biological samples.