A colorimetric quinoline-based chemosensor for sequential detection of copper ion and cyanide anions

A new quinoline-based chemosensor (CQ) for sequential detection of Cu2+ and CN- has been synthesized, where diaminomaleonitrile is introduced as recognition group. After addition of Cu2+, sensor CQ in aqueous solution (DMSO/H2O) displays remarkable colorimetric change from the light yellow to red, which is attributed to the extended intermolecular charge transfer in CQ-Cu(2+)complex. Sensor CQ shows a highly selective and sensitive response to Cu2+, which can be used as Test strips to conveniently monitor Cu2+. In addition, CQ-Cu(2+)complex could be applied to monitor sequentially cyanide anion with dramatic colour change based on copper ion complex displacement mechanism. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.