Phenazine-based colorimetric and fluorescent sensor for the selective detection of cyanides based on supramolecular self-assembly in aqueous solution.

Taking advantages of both the well-known phenazine structure and the mechanism of the supramolecular self-assembly and deprotonation process, the fluorescent and colorimetric sensor (ZL) was designed and synthesized, behaving as a circulation utilization (above 10 times) receptor for selective detection of cyanide anion (CN−) in aqueous media. Upon the addition of CN−, the sensor displayed obvious color changes from yellow to jacinth by naked eyes and the fluorescence immediately quenched (<10s). With respect to other common anions, the sensor possessed high selectivity and sensitivity (0.05μM) for cyanide anions. In addition, the test strips of ZL were fabricated, which could serve as practical colorimetric and fluorescent sensor for “in-the-field” measurements.