ChemComm
Communication
In summary, we have studied the use of two triarylmethane
based chemodosimeters for the chromogenic recognition of CNÀ
anions in aqueous medium and HCN in gas phase. The chromo-
genic response arises from the nucleophilic addition of CNÀ
anions to the central electron deficient carbon atom of the
probes yielding a colorless leuco form. Compared with 1, probe
2 displayed a remarkably fast response yet similar color changes
were found for CNÀ and HSÀ. Besides, differentiation between
these two anions could easily be achieved by UV irradiation that
resulted in the formation of the former probe only for the
product obtained with cyanide. A remarkable limit of detection
of 165 and 300 ppb for CNÀ in water was achieved when using
probes 1 and 2, respectively. Moreover probe 1 adsorbed on an
aminated silica was successfully used for the selective detection
of HCN in gas phase with a limit of detection of 2 ppm.
We thank the Spanish Government (project MAT2012-38429-
C04-02) for its financial support. R.G. acknowledges Spanish
MICINN for a predoctoral fellowship. SCSIE (Universidad de
Valencia) is gratefully acknowledged for all the equipment
employed.
Scheme 2 Selectivity paradigm for double chromogenic probes 1 and 2. Both
probes, after being blanched by CNÀ, are recovered, and the color restored, by
irradiation for 2 min under a UV lamp.
Notes and references
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c
This journal is The Royal Society of Chemistry 2013
Chem. Commun.