A multi-sensing fluorescent compound derived from cyanoacrylic acid

A new cyanoacrylic acid derivative of carbazole-triphenylethylene as a fluorescent probe has been synthesized and characterized. The derivative exhibits not only aggregation-induced effect (AIE) properties, but also interesting fluorescence multi-responses to solvents, water, ethanol and metal ions due to its chemical structure. Responses of the compound solution in DMF to water can be explained in terms of H-bond, multimer and AIE effects. In addition, the derivative was found to be highly sensitive to potassium ions. It is suggested that the compound has potential applications in chemosensors.