A highly selective fluorescent chemosensor for CN− based on a novel bis(salamo)-type tetraoxime ligand.

The optical properties of a novel chemosensor for cyanide anions based on a symmetric bis(salamo)-type ligand (H 3 L) were investigated by UV–Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy in MeOH/H 2 O (1:1 v/v) solution. Sensor H 3 L can selectively sense CN − based on prominent color changes among other anions. The chemosensor exhibits an apparent fluorescence enhancement at 482 nm to CN − which because cyanide ions interact with C N bonds. Combining the corrected Benesi-Hildebrand formula, the binding constant of the formed host-guest complex was calculated as 2.42 × 10 5 M − 1 . Meanwhile, the detection limit of the sensor toward CN − was 8.91 × 10 − 7 M. It is worth noting that the designed sensor can be used for rapid detection of cyanide anions in basic pH range, and has great practical value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]