A new aggregation-induced emission active fluorescent probe for sensitive detection of cyanide

Abstract A novel AIE active fluorescence chemosensor 1 was synthesized with 2-benzothiazoleacetonitrile and 4-(diphenylamino)-benzaldehyde in 73% yield. 1 exhibited prominent selective and sensitive detection to cyanide with significant turn-off fluorescent response in almost pure aqueous media. Moreover, 1 achieved a low detection limited of 0.22 μm (9.44 ppm) which is lower than the maximum level of cyanide in the drinking water (1.9 μm) that the World Health Organization (WHO) permits. The fluorescent response to CN − was attributed to the nucleophilic addition of CN − to the vinyl group of 1 resulting in breaking of the conjugated, which was supported by Job’s plot and 1 H NMR titration. The biological applications of 1 were also evaluated and found that 1 exhibited low cytotoxicity and membrane permeability. Furthermore, 1 -based test strips could also detect CN − conveniently.