Imaging Science and Photochemistry ›› 2014, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (1): 113-120.DOI: 10.7517/j.issn.1674-0475.2014.01.113

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Fluorescence “Turn-on” Sensor for Cyanide Based on Phenazine Derivative

YANG Lin, ZHANG Xiao, QU Weisong, HUA Jianli   

  1. Key Labs for Advanced Materials, Institute of Fine Chemicals, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China
  • Received:2013-12-04 Revised:2013-12-17 Online:2014-01-15 Published:2014-01-15

Abstract:

A chemodosimeter toward cyanide based on phenazine disulfonylindole (PDSI) was designed and synthesized. PDSI expressed obvious intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) absorption band at 750 nm. After the addition of cyanide, the C=N+ double bond was broken and neutralized and this ICT band dramatically decreased for the decreasing electron-withdrawing ability of indole moiety. Color change from green to light yellow could be observed which indicated that PDSI can realize real naked-eye detection of cyanide anion. On the other hand, a turn-on fluorescence signal was appeared after adding cyanide. The maximum emission band at 580 nm increased and achieved above 20-fold enhancement. Also, PDSI provided high sensitivity and selectivity with a low detection limit (20 nmol/L) which is below the maximum contaminant level for cyanide (MCL) in drinking water (0.02 ppm) set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Other anions except for cyanide caused no response signal.

Key words: cyanide detection, fluorescent sensor, phenazine derivative, turn-on fluorescence