A novel D-π-A triphenylamine-based turn-on colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescence probe for cyanide detection

A novel colorimetric fluorescent chemosensor TP1 with a D-π-A structure for the detection of (cyanide) CN − has been developed. TP1 is capable of showing high selectivity and sensitivity towards CN − over a wide range of other interfering anions. After reaction with CN − , TP1 shows a significant blue-shift of absorption peak from 514 to 437 nm, which induces color changes from amaranth to yellow. Non-fluorescent TP1 upon interaction with CN − exhibits a ca. 17-fold fluorescence enhancement at 551 nm, resulting in strong orange emission. The sensing mechanism of TP1 recognizes CN − which undergoes a nucleophilic addition reaction . Moreover, the detection limit of the probe TP1 towards CN − is 1.4 × 10 −8 M, which is far lower than the WHO guideline of 1.9 μM cyanide for drinking water . In addition, the cell imaging experiments certify that TP1 can be successfully applied as a bioimaging agent for monitoring CN − in pheochromocytoma cell (PC12). • Probe TP1 with D-π-A featured structure for CN − was developed. • TP1 can detect cyanide with high sensitivity and selectivity. • The detection limit of TP1 towards CN − was 1.4 × 10 −8 M. • TP1 can be applied in cell imaging with turn-on emission and low cytotoxicity.