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

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 mu m (9.44 ppm) which is lower than the maximum level of cyanide in the drinking water (1.9 mu m) 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 H-1 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. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.