Highly reactive (< 1 min) ratiometric naked eye detection of hypochlorite with real application in tap water

The de-diaminomaleonitrile reaction in a simple carbazole diaminomaleonitrile hybrid (CDH) was promoted by OCl- which disrupted the ICT mechanism by breaking the donor and acceptor linkage. This system utilized an irreversible OCl- promoted oxidation reaction and it responded instantaneously at room temperature. The chemosensor also showed excellent performance in tap water and the dip-stick method.