A single chemosensor for multiple target anions: The simultaneous detection of CN^- and OAc^- in aqueous media

A multifunctional fluorescent and colorimetric chemosensor 1 (Z)-1-((benzo[d]thiazol-2-ylimino)methyl)naphthalen-2-ol for the detection of both CN^- and OAc^- in aqueous solution has been developed. This sensor could simultaneously detect two anions through fluorogenic (CN ^-) and chromogenic (CN^- and OAc^-) methods. The sensor could function as a "turn-on" fluorescence receptor only to CN^-. In addition, the sensor displayed an obvious color change from yellow to colorless upon selective binding with CN^- through a nucleophilic addition mechanism. Moreover, the sensor also showed color change from yellow to orange upon deprotonation with OAc^-. This is the first report that sensor 1 is able to detect simultaneously both CN^- and OAc^- by two different detection modes.