Fluorescent "turn-on" detecting CN(-) by nucleophilic addition induced Schiff-base hydrolysis

A new chemosensor Sz based on Schiff-base group as recognition site and naphthalene as the fluorescence signal group was designed and synthesised. It could fluorescent "turn-on" detect cyanide (CN(-)) via a novel mechanism of nucleophilic addition induced Schiff-base hydrolysis. Adding the CN(-) into the solution of Sz could induce Sz to emit blue fluorescence at 435 nm instantly. Moreover, Sz could also colorimetric detect CN(-). Upon the addition of CN(-), the Sz showed dramatic color change from yellow to colorless. These sensing procedures could not be interfered by other coexistent competitive anions such as F(-), AcO(-), H2PO4(-) and SCN(-). In addition, Sz showed high sensitivity for CN(-), the detection limits is 3.42×10(-8) M of CN(-), which is far lower than the WHO guideline of CN(-) in drinking water (less than 1.9×10(-6) M). The CN(-) test strips based on Sz could act as a convenient CN(-) test kits.