Two highly sensitive and efficient salamo-like copper(II) complex probes for recognition of CN−

Abstract Two salamo-like copper(II) complex probes, L1-Cu2+ and L2-Cu2+, were designed and synthesized for sensitive and efficient identification of CN−. UV spectroscopy, high resolution mass spectrometry, RGB analysis and naked eye recognition were performed to explore their recognition mechanisms. High resolution mass spectra indicated that the probes L1-Cu2+ and L2-Cu2+ formed complexes with CN−. The two probes could recognize CN− by the naked eye and the color of the solution changed from light yellow to red. In terms of application, the contents of CN− in the environmental water samples were tested. In addition, the optimal pH ranges for probe detection of CN− were investigated by pH value measurement.