A highly sensitive and selective chemosensor for cyanide

• Published in: Talanta (Oxford) Vol. 75; no. 3; pp. 760 - 764
• Main Authors: Ren, Jiaqiang, Zhu, Weihong, Tian, He
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15.05.2008; Oxford Elsevier
• Subjects: Analytical chemistry; Carbon - chemistry; Chemical reaction; Chemistry; Chemosensor; Chromogenic Compounds - chemistry; Cyanide anion; Cyanides - analysis; Exact sciences and technology; General, instrumentation; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Molecular Structure; Oxazine; Oxazines - chemistry; Oxygen - chemistry; Reproducibility of Results; Spectrometric and optical methods; Time Factors; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Supply - analysis; Cyanide anion; Chemosensor; Chemical reaction; Oxazine; Drinking water; Absorption spectrometry; Fresh water; Interference; Cyanides; NMR spectrometry; Selectivity; Chemical sensor
• ISSN: 0039-9140; 1873-3573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2007.12.024

A highly sensitive and selective cyanide chemosensor based on fused indoline and benzooxazine fragment was reported with fast response. The detection of cyanide was performed via the nucleophilic attack of cyanide anion on the oxazine. 1H NMR and MS studies confirmed the cleavage of C–O bond of oxazine and binding of cyanide to the spiro center of oxazine. The specific reaction results in high selectivity for cyanide ion. Addition of cyanide anion to the oxazine in MeCN/H 2O solution results in a loss in absorbance at 343 nm and an increase in new absorbance at 411 nm, thus resulting in obvious color changes. Cyanide can be detected down to 1 μM levels in a fast response of less than 30 s with no interference of other anionic species. The cyanide detection method should have potential application in a variety of settings requiring rapid and accurate analysis of cyanide anion for drinking and fresh water.