A multifunctional bimetallic molecular device for ultrasensitive detection, naked-eye recognition, and elimination of cyanide ions

A new bimetallic Feᴵᴵ–Cuᴵᴵ complex was synthesized, characterized, and applied as a selective and sensitive sensor for cyanide detection in water. This complex is the first multifunctional device that can simultaneously detect cyanide ions in real water samples, amplify the colorimetric signal upon detection for naked-eye recognition at the parts-per-million (ppb) level, and convert the toxic cyanide ion into the much safer cyanate ion in situ. The mechanism of the bimetallic complex for high-selectivity recognition and signaling toward cyanide ions was investigated through a series of binding kinetics of the complex with different analytes, including CN⁻, SO₄²⁻, HCO₃⁻, HPO₄²⁻, N₃⁻, CH₃COO⁻, NCS⁻, NO₃⁻, and Cl⁻ ions. In addition, the use of the indicator/catalyst displacement assay (ICDA) is demonstrated in the present system in which one metal center acts as a receptor and inhibitor and is bridged to another metal center that is responsible for signal transduction and catalysis, thus showing a versatile approach to the design of new multifunctional devices. Copyright © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.