Highly selective chemodosimeter for cyanide based on a doubly activated Michael acceptor type of coumarin thiazole fluorophore

A doubly activated Michael acceptor type of coumarin thiazole fluorophore (1) was prepared and applied for the detection of cyanide ions in aqueous solution. The chemodosimeter exhibited a highly selective and sensitive response to cyanide over other various anions through the Michael addition of cyanide to 1. Upon the addition of cyanide ions, the apparent color and fluorescence changes of 1 were observable with a detection limit of 2.3 μM of the cyanide anions in aqueous solution.