A highly sensitive and selective "turn-on" fluorescence sensor for rapid detection of cyanide ions in aqueous solution

A simple and easily synthesised colorimetric and fluorescent cyanide probe bearing salicylaldehyde hydrazone functionality has been synthesised and characterised. This probe displays rapid response, highly selective and sensitive recognition for cyanide over other competitive anions (F-, Cl-, Br-, I-, AcO-, graphic> and SCN-) in the aqueous solution. Furthermore, the detection limit of the fluorescent assay for cyanide is 1.96 x 10(-8)M, which is much lower than the maximum value of cyanide (1.9M) permitted by the World Health Organization in drinking water. In addition, the sensor exhibited both a colour change from colourless to yellow and fluorescence enhancement upon addition to CN- in DMSO/H2O (6:4,v/v). Thus, the present probe should be applicable as a practical system for the detection of highly toxic and deadly cyanide ion in aqueous samples. [GRAPHICS] .