Two fluorescence turn-on chemosensors for cyanide anions based on pyridine cation and the boronic acid moiety

Abstract Two chemosensors for cyanide anions based on N-methylpyridinium cation and the boronic acid moiety structures have been synthesized. Spectral shifts and intensity changes in acetonitrile allow for both absorption and fluorescence emission wavelength ratiometric and colorimetric sensing. The compounds are found to be able to recognize cyanide anion with obvious color change and fluorescence turn-on response due to the sensors' ability to bind the cyanide anion through boronic acid functional group.