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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]

A novel red-emitting chemosensor BCTT has been developed for the detection of Hg 2+ and CN − in DMF-water solution with high sensitivity and selectivity. It exhibited a ‘turn-on’ fluorescence upon binding with Hg 2+ based on its AIE properties and a ‘turn-off’ response to CN − due to the nucleophilic addition of CN − to the dicyanovinyl group with visible color changing from yellow to colorless. Remarkably, the detection limits for Hg 2+ and CN − were 6.6 nM and 0.11 μM, respectively, which are much lower than the regulated limits in drinking water, promoting BCTT as a promising candidate in practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]