New color chemosensors for cyanide based on water soluble azo dyes

Cyanide detection in pure water is important for many applications. We present a novel type of chemodosimeter azo dye developed on the basis of the benzophenone as the electrophilic receptor of the cyanide anion and a saccharidic moiety to render the dye water soluble. This chemodosimeter is found to be highly selective and tunable toward only cyanide in pure water.