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Updated: May 9, 2026

Qualitative Identification of Carboxylic Acids, Boronic Acids, and Amines Using Cruciform Fluorophores
Published on: August 19, 2013
A molecular 'traffic light': highly selective cyanide sensing in aqueous media by a CpFe(indenyl)-functionalized
1Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Rd, Oxford, OX1 3QR, UK. Simon.Aldridge@chem.ox.ac.uk.
Abstract:
The CpFe(indenyl)-functionalized borane {η(5)-(4-dimesitylboryl)indenyl}(η(5)-cyclopentadienyl)iron is available in two simple steps from organic precursors (in ca. 50% yield) and binds cyanide in protic media (1:1 thf-H2O) with an accompanying green to red/pink colour change. Extremely high selectivity over fluoride and hydroxide and a detection limit of ca. 10 ppm represent a highly desirable combination among borane derived cyanide receptors.

