New color chemosensors for cyanide based on water soluble azo dyes

Cyanide detection in pure water is important for many applications. We present a novel type of chemodosimeter azo dye developed on the basis of the benzophenone as the electrophilic receptor of the cyanide anion and a saccharidic moiety to render the dye water soluble. This chemodosimeter is found to be highly selective and tunable toward only cyanide in pure water. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.