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 (H₃L) were investigated by UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy in MeOH/H₂O (1:1 v/v) solution. Sensor H₃L can selectively sense CN^- based on prominent color changes among other anions. The chemosensor exhibits an apparent fluorescence enhancement at 482nm to CN^- which because cyanide ions interact with CN bonds. Combining the corrected Benesi-Hildebrand formula, the binding constant of the formed host-guest complex was calculated as 2.42×10⁵M^-1. Meanwhile, the detection limit of the sensor toward CN^- was 8.91×10^-7M. 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.