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A novel colorimetric and fluorometric probe L1 for detecting CN− with high selectivity was constructed and synthesized based on intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). Remarkably, L1 was found to be exclusively responsive to CN− via nucleophilic attack of dicyanovinyl group via 1H NMR titration experiment. The detection system exhibited "turn-on" fluorescence with the addition of cyanide, which was opposite to previously reported fluorescence quenching probes with the same sensing process. Moreover, the detection limit of L1 for CN− was determined to be 1.1 μM, lower than the standard (1.9 μM) regulated by the World Health Organization (WHO). This work demonstrated that L1 could serve as both a colorimetric and a fluorimetric sensor for cyanide detection in pure water, making it possible for the applications of cyanide detection in water. Image 1 • A novel fluorescence "turn-on" probe for detecting cyanide was constructed based on intramolecular charge transfer.. • The probe can act as a colorimetric and a fluorimetric sensor in nearly pure water with the assistance of CTAB. • The probe possessed high selectivity for the detection of cyanide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]