A triphenylamine-based colorimetric and “turn-on” fluorescent probe for detection of cyanide anions in live cells

Abstract

A colorimetric and “turn-on” fluorescent probe has been developed for the detection of cyanide anions. Cyanide was detected via the nucleophilic addition of cyanide to the indolium group of the probe, which resulted in a change from a purple colour to colourless and an enhancement in fluorescence. The probe showed a high sensitivity and selectivity for cyanide anions over other common anionic species in aqueous ethanol solution. The limit of detection was as low as 21 nM. A live cell imaging experiment demonstrated the practical value of this probe in tracing cyanide anions in biological systems.