A Turn-On Fluorescent Chemosensor for Cyanide Ion Detection in Real Water Samples

We have designed and synthesized a novel simple colorimetric fluorescent probe with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties. Probe 5-(4-(diphenylamine)phenyl) thiophen-2-formaldehyde W exhibited a turn-on fluorescent response to cyanide ion (CN-), which induces distinct visual color changes. Probe W exhibited a highly selective and sensitive ratiometric fluorescence response for the detection of CN- over a wide pH range (4-11) and in the presence of common interferents. The linear detection of CN- over the concentration range of 4.00-38.00 mu M (R-2 = 0.9916, RSD = 0.02) was monitored by UV-Vis absorption spectrometry (UV-Vis) with the limit of detection determined to be 0.48 mu M. The linear detection of CN- over the concentration range of 8.00-38.00 mu M was examined by fluorescence spectrophotometry (R-2 = 0.99086, RSD = 0.031), and the detection limit was found to be 68.00 nM. The sensing mechanisms were confirmed by H-1 NMR spectroscopic titrations, X-ray crystallographic analysis, and HRMS. Importantly, probe W was found to show rapid response, high selectivity, and sensitivity for cyanide anions in real water samples, over the range of 100.17 similar to 100.86% in artificial lake water and 100.54 similar to 101.64% in running water by UV-Vis absorption spectrometry, and over the range of 99.42 similar to 100.71% in artificial lake water and 100.59 similar to 101.17% in running water by fluorescence spectrophotometry. Importantly, this work provides a simple and effective approach which uses an economically cheap and uncomplicated synthetic route for the selective, sensitive, and quantitative detection of CN- ions in systems relevant to the environment and health.

Automated summary

A novel colorimetric fluorescent probe with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties has been designed and synthesized, showing highly selective and sensitive detection of cyanide ions (CN-) in environmental samples. This probe has significant potential applications due to its simple and effective detection capabilities.