A cyanide selective off–on fluorescent chemosensor with in vivo imaging in 100% water: solid probe preferred over in situ generation

Abstract

A nontoxic fluorescent chemosensor [Cu(BP)HMB]₂(ClO₄)₂ (1) synthesized in solid phase, exhibits unprecedented selectivity and sensitivity over the allied in situ complexes to perform fluorescence in “turn-off–on” mode for sensing cyanide in 100% aqueous medium under physiological conditions and for in vivo imaging using the nematode C. elegans. Below μM detection limit, instantaneous and excellent ratiometric responses are also beneficial to detect trace amounts of anthropogenic or biogenic cyanide.