Carbazole based hemicyanine dye for both “naked eye” and ‘NIR’ fluorescence detection of CN− in aqueous solution: from molecules to low cost devices (TLC plate sticks)

A hybrid carbazole hemicyanine dye (receptor CHD) was developed as a new visible and near infrared chemodosimeter type sensor with high ratiometric selectivity towards cyanide in the presence of other anions in aqueous solution. The chemosensor also showed excellent performance when used in the "dip stick" method, i.e. in solid phase (TLC plates).