A Series of Fluorescent and Colorimetric Chemodosimeters for Selective Recognition of Cyanide Based on the FRET Mechanism

A series
of fluorescence “turn-on” probes (PY, AN, NA, B1, and B2)
have been developed and successfully applied to detect
cyanide anions based on the Michael addition reaction and FRET mechanism.
These probes demonstrated good selectivity, high sensitivity, and
very fast recognition for CN–. In particular, the
fluorescence response of probe NA finished within 3 s.
Low limits of detection (down to 63 nM) are also obtained in these
probes with remarkable fluorescence enhancement factors. In addition,
fluorescence colors of these probes turned to blue, yellow, or orange
upon sensing CN–. In UV–vis mode, all of
them showed ratiometric response for CN–. 1H NMR titration experiments and TDDFT calculations were taken to
verify the mechanism of the specific reaction and fluorescence properties
of the corresponding compounds. Moreover, silica gel plates with these
probes were also fabricated and utilized to detect cyanide.