A reaction based colorimetric chemosensor for the detection of cyanide ion in aqueous solution

A conjugated naphthoquinone-benzothiazole (R) system was developed and characterized and its cyanide sensing properties were monitored in 80% aqueous DMF solution. Cyanide ions react with the receptor through a nucleophilic addition reaction, resulting in immediate color change that can be viewed and monitored colorimetrically and fluorimerically. Optical properties of R were not affected by the addition of other common anions in the presence and absence of cyanide ions. A test strip based on R was fabricated and could act as a convenient test kit to detect cyanide ions. Thus, the receptor can be used as an effective probe to detect cyanide ions in aqueous solution. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.