A facile colorimetric and fluorescent cyanide chemosensor: utilization of the nucleophilic addition induced by resonance-assisted hydrogen bond

A fast and sensitive colorimetric sensor for residual chlorine detection made with oxidized cellulose

Residual chlorine from widespread disinfection processes forms byproducts in water that are harmful to humans and ecosystems. Portable sensors are essential tools for the on-site monitoring of residual chlorine in environmental samples. Here, an inexpensive colorimetric sensor was developed by grafting via amidation the chromogen orthotolidine (OTO) to the surface of a TEMPO-oxidized cellulose filter paper (O-TOFP). A thorough characterization of the sensor strip demonstrated that it was highly stable and that it could be stored for a long period before usage. O-TOFP had a fast response time of 30 s, was highly selective for residual chlorine ions (ClO-) with an accuracy of at least 95 %, and exhibited an excellent limit of detection of only 0.045 mg/L when combined with smartphone image acquisition. With its many positive features, the easy-to-use and robust O-TOFP sensor described here could become a useful tool for the determination of residual chlorine in different water samples.

Tailored fluorophore design: Enhancing selectivity for cyanide ion sensing in water and food samples, and innovative device development

A rigid fluorophore unit of Julolidine/coumarin fused with an indolium-conjugated system was built for the immediate and effective recognition of cyanide ions in a 90 % aq. DMSO solution. The probes are capable of displaying better sensitivity/selectivity for the cyanide ion over a wide range of other interfering ions. The probe JI showed an instant colorimetric variation, whereas the modified probe JCI showed both colorimetric and fluorimetric variation with cyanide ion. The observed detection limit values indicated excellent sensitivity of the probe to the cyanide ion. HRMS and 1H NMR studies confirmed that the mechanism of detection of CN- is via the nucleophilic attack on the electron-deficient indolium moiety of the molecule. Moreover, the probes are well proficient in selective recognition of cyanide in various real time applications (test strips, electronic sensor kit, food and water sample analysis).

A Novel Naphthylidene-diimine Chemosensor for Selective Colorimetric and Fluorometric Detection of Al3+ and CN- Ions

A naphthylidene-diimine L2 was newly designed, and its structure was identified by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods. The effect of temperature, acid-base and light on enol-keto tautomerism in this Schiff base was evaluated by colorimetry, UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Under irradiation 365 nm, L2 emitted yellow, orange and strong green emission in pure, basic and aqueous DMSO media (v/v, 1/1), respectively. Its ionochromic behavior against various cations (Fe3+, Al3+, Cr3+, Cu2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, Ba2+ and Ag+) and anions (F-, Cl-, CH3COO-, SO32-, S2O32-, HSO4-, H2PO4-, NO3-, CN-, and OH-) was investigated in aqueous DMSO media (v/v, 1/1) by UV-Vis and fluorescence experiments. Dark yellow color of L2 changed to colorless for Fe3+, Cr3+ and HSO4- ions, and turned to light yellow for Al3+ and Cu2+ ions, and to orange for CN- and OH- ions. According to UV-Vis data, the chemosensor displayed selective recognition towards Fe3+, Al3+, Cu2+, HSO4-, CN- and OH- with a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio. At the excitation wavelength of 365 nm, L2 gave strong yellowish white emission (λem = 445 and 539 nm) in the presence of Al3+, and the intensity increased about 12.5 times. On the other hand, the chemosensor displayed one emission band at 452 nm and 450 nm in the presence of CN- and OH- with 1.9 fold and 2.3 fold fluorescence enhancement, respectively.

Dual-Responsive Benzo-Hemicyanine-Based Fluorescent Probe for Detection of Cyanide and Hydrogen Sulfide: Real-Time Application in Identification of Food Spoilage

Colorimetric and fluorescent probes have received a lot of attention for detecting lethal analytes in realistic systems and in living things. Herein, a dual-approachable Benzo-hemicyaninebased red-emitting fluorescent probe PBiSMe, for distinct and instantaneous detection of CN^- and HS^- was synthesized. The PBiSMe emitted red fluorescence (570 nm) can switch to turn-off (570 nm) and blue fluorescence (465 nm) in response to CN^- and HS^-, respectively. Other nucleophilic reagents, such as reactive sulfur species (RSS) and anions, have no contact or interference with the probe; instead, a unique approach is undertaken to exclusively interact with CN^- and HS^- over a wide pH range. The measured detection limits for CN^- (0.43 μM) and HS^- (0.22 μM) ions are lower than the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended levels in drinking water. We confirmed 1:1 stoichiometry ratio using Job's plot and observed good quantum yield for both analytes. The probe-coated paper strips were used to detect the H₂S gas produced by food spoilage (such as eggs, raw meat, and fish) via an eye-catching visual response. Moreover, fluorescence bioimaging studies of living cells was done to confirm the probe's potential by monitoring the presence of CN^- and HS^- in a living system.

Highly Selective and Sensitive Colorimetric and Fluorescent Chemosensors for Rapid Detection of Cyanide Anions in Aqueous Medium: Investigation on Supramolecular Recognition of Tweezer‑shaped Salophenes

Three tweezer‑shaped salophenes having catechols (1), phenols (2) and anisoles (3) units in conjunction to the dipodal Schiff bases have been applied for the optical sensing of cyanide (CN¯) ions in CH3CN-H2O (7:3) as solvent of choice. Among them, compounds 1 and 2 recognized CN¯, relying on distinct color and spectral changes. They are easy-to-use probes that exhibit extremely high sensitivity (limit of detection = 1-10 nM), rapid response (5 s) and excellent selectivity. Moreover, the visual detection and concentration determination of CN¯ by solution test kits of both sensors are the advantages for the practical applications. Based on the fluorescence and NMR spectroscopy, as well as the OH¯ and reversibility experiments, the explicit effect of hydroxyl groups on sensing and as well the different recognition of 1 and 2 toward CN¯ ions was proved. While probe 1 senses CN¯ via deprotonation, probe 2 recognizes it through an intramolecular aldimine condensation cyclization, leading to formation of anions of dihydroxyquinoxaline 4. This chemodosimetry is being reported for the first time in a Schiff's base. Furthermore, the similarity of fluorescence and NMR responses of 2 and 4 toward CN¯ supports the proposed process.

Two cyanoethylene-based fluorescence probes for highly efficient cyanide detection and practical applications in drinking water and living cells

Cyanide detection methods are urgently needed due to the highly lethal to human beings. Herein, we report two fluorescence probes (Probe 1 and Probe 2) based on cyanoethylene group for cyanide anion (CN^-) detection. The selective recognition for CN^- was confirmed by the completely opposite green fluorescence of Probe 1 and red fluorescence of Probe 2 observed by fluorescence spectra and naked eyes. The probes take advantages of the large Stokes shift (~160 nm), rapid response (30 s), anti-interference performance and low detection limit (Probe 1: 12.4 nM, Probe 2: 101 nM). The sensing mechanism is certificated to the nucleophilic attack of CN^- to electron-deficient cyanoethylene group of probes, which was demonstrated by ¹H NMR titration, HR-MS, Job's plot and IR spectroscopy. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out to analyze the mechanism in theory. Further, practical applications were studied. Easy-to-use test strips treated with Probe 1 or Probe 2 are capable of CN^- detection in pure drinking water. The good biocompatibility and membrane penetrability have achieved the bioimaging capability of Probe 1 and Probe 2 in living HepG-2 cells, making the probes promising for use in real lives.

A simple fluorophore-imine ensemble for colorimetric and fluorescent detection of CN- and HS- in aqueous solution

Colorimetric and fluorescent detection of cyanide and hydrogen sulfide ions has been effected using a simple organic probe in H₂O:DMSO (20:80, v/v) medium. The probe exhibits a colour change from pale-yellow to red upon addition of these analytes under normal light and fluorescent change from green to red under UV lamp. Other competitive ions show no observable colour or fluorescence change. The binding constants of cyanide and hydrogen sulfide ions with the probe determined using fluorescence titration data are found to be 2.1 × 10⁴ and 1.6 × 10⁴ M^-1, respectively. The probe fluorimetrically detects the analytes in a wide pH range (4-10). ¹H and ¹³C NMR studies suggest that the probe senses cyanide ion through deprotonation and nucleophilic addition mechanism and hydrogen sulfide ion via deprotonation mechanism. Detection limits of cyanide and hydrogen sulfide are determined to be 0.15 and 1 μM, respectively. The practical utility of the probe has been demonstrated by same dual mode detection of cyanide in food materials like bitter almond, cassava flour and sprouting potato.

Fluorescence turn-on chemodosimetric sensing of cyanide by cyanovinylterpyridine modified phthalonitrile and subphthalocyanine

Terpyridine-attached phthalonitrile (Pn-TP) linked by cyanovinyl bond has been synthesized and employed for the preparation of subphthalocyanine (SubPc-TP) bearing conjugated terpyridine moieties. Both Pn-TP and SubPc-TP exhibited highly selective fluorescence turn-on in the presence of cyanide anions (CN^-) based on chemodosimetric sensing mechanism. The conjugation of the Pn-TP molecule was interrupted by the addition of CN^- at the cyanovinyl bond, showing the ratiometric fluorescence turn-on behavior. This sensing mechanism was further supported by density functional theory calculation and nuclear magnetic resonance titration studies. Optical and photophysical responses of SubPc-TP towards CN^- were also investigated, in which similar fluorescence enhancement was observed due to the addition of CN^- at the reactive boron trimer. The detection limit was estimated to be 94 nM, much below the World Health Organization-allowed level (1.9 μM) of CN^- in water.

Sensitive colorimetric detection of CN− and AcO− anions in a semi-aqueous environment through a coumarin–naphthalene conjugate azo dye

An efficient colorimetric chemosensor to detect anions in an aqueous medium.

Two benzoyl coumarin amide fluorescence chemosensors for cyanide anions

Two new benzoyl coumarin amide derivatives with ortho hydroxyl benzoyl as terminal group have been synthesized. Their photophysical properties and recognition properties for cyanide anions in acetonitrile have also been examined. The influence of electron donating diethylamino group in coumarin ring and hydroxyl in benzoyl group on recognition properties was explored. The results indicate that the compounds can recognize cyanide anions with obvious absorption and fluorescence spectral change and high sensitivity. The import of diethylamine group increases smartly the absorption ability and fluorescence intensity of the compound, which allows the recognition for cyanide anions can be observed by naked eyes. The in situ hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance spectra combining photophysical properties change and job's plot data confirm that Michael addition between the chemosensors and cyanide anions occurs. Molecular conjugation is interrupted, which leads to fluorescence quenching. At the same time, there is a certain extent hydrogen bond reaction between cyanide and hydroxyl group in the compounds, which is beneficial to the recognition.

A novel dual-channel chemosensor for CN- using asymmetric double-azine derivatives in aqueous media and its application in bitter almond

In this paper, we have designed and synthesized a novel sensor L1 based on asymmetric double-azine derivatives, which showed both "naked eye" recognition and fluorescence responses for CN^- in DMSO/H₂O (v/v=4:1, pH=7.20) solution. This simple sensor L1 could distinguish CN^- from coexisting anions via the way of deprotonation and sensing mechanism of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT), and the minimum detection limit on fluorescence response of the sensor L1 towards CN^- was down to 9.47×10^-7M. Moreover, we have successfully utilized the sensor L1 to detect CN^- in bitter almond. Test strips containing L1 were also prepared, which could act as a practical colorimetric tool to detect CN^- in aqueous media.

Highly selective colorimetric detection of cyanide anions in aqueous media by triphenylamine and phenanthro(9,10-d)imidazole based probes

Two novel triphenylamine based fluorescent probes TPC and PITP have been synthesized and studied as an effective cyanide selective indicator in aqueous media. Complete colour bleaching and visible colour changes was observed upon addition of cyanide to fluorophores TPC and PITP respectively.

Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of (E)-methyl 2-((2-oxonaphthalen-1(2H)-ylidene)methylamino)acetate as a biological agent and an anion sensor

An amino acid based and bidentate Schiff base, (E)-methyl 2-((2-oxonaphthalen-1(2H)-ylidene)methylamino)acetate (ligand), was synthesized from the reaction of glycine-methyl ester hydrochloride with 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde. Characterization of the ligand was carried out using theoretical quantum-mechanical calculations and experimental spectroscopic methods. The molecular structure of the compound was confirmed using X-ray single-crystal data, NMR, FTIR and UV-Visible spectroscopy, which were in good agreement with the structure predicted by the theoretical calculations using density functional theory (DFT). Antimicrobial activity of the ligand was investigated for its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) to several bacteria and yeast cultures. UV-Visible spectroscopy studies also shown that the ligand can bind calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) electrostatic binding. In addition, DNA cleavage study showed that the ligand cleaved DNA without the need for external agents. Energetically most favorable docked structures were obtained from the rigid molecular docking of the compound with DNA. The compound binds at the active site of the DNA proteins by weak non-covalent interactions. The colorimetric response of the ligand in DMSO to the addition of equivalent amount of anions (F^-, Br^-, I^-, CN^-, SCN^-, ClO₄^-, HSO₄^-, AcO^-, H₂PO₄^-, N₃^- and OH^-) was investigated and the ligand was shown to be sensitive to CN^- anion.

Resonance-Assisted Hydrogen Bonding as a Driving Force in Synthesis and a Synthon in the Design of Materials

Resonance-assisted hydrogen bonding (RAHB), a concept introduced by Gilli and co-workers in 1989, concerns a kind of intramolecular H-bonding strengthened by a conjugated π-system, usually in 6-, 8-, or 10-membered rings. This Review highlights the involvement of RAHB as a driving force in the synthesis of organic, coordination, and organometallic compounds, as a handy tool in the activation of covalent bonds, and in starting moieties for synthetic transformations. The unique roles of RAHB in molecular recognition and switches, E/Z isomeric resolution, racemization and epimerization of amino acids and chiral amino alcohols, solvatochromism, liquid-crystalline compounds, and in synthons for crystal engineering and polymer materials are also discussed. The Review can provide practical guidance for synthetic chemists that are interested in exploring and further developing RAHB-assisted synthesis and design of materials.

Structure–reactivity correlation in selective colorimetric detection of cyanide in solid, organic and aqueous phases using quinone based chemodosimeters

The five new colorimetric chemodosimeters sense cyanide selectively and sensitively in aqueous and organic media via a nucleophilic addition mechanism exhibiting quantitative structure–reactivity correlation.

3-Hydroxyflavone derivatives synthesized by a new simple method as chemosensors for cyanide anions

Two 3-hydroxyflavone derivatives as chemosensors for cyanide were synthesized by one step simple condensation, cyclization and subsequent oxidation reaction catalyzed by pyrrolidine, which shows great convenience compared with traditional method.

Curcumin based chemosensor for selective detection of fluoride and cyanide anions in aqueous media

The conjugate N,N-dimethyl curcumin analogue fluorophore dye 1 has been synthesized and its performance as a sensor was demonstrated.

A colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent probe for the selective detection of cyanide anions in aqueous media and living cells

Based on the internal charge transfer (ICT) mechanism, a novel colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent probe was developed for highly selective and sensitive detection of cyanide ion in aqueous media.

A new coumarin based chromo-fluorogenic probe for selective recognition of cyanide ions in an aqueous medium

The optical behavior of a simple intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) fluorescent probe, a coumarin-nitrobenzene conjugate (CNB), has been described to detect cyanide (CN⁻) selectively in buffered aqueous media.