Commercial trans-β-nitrostyrene analogues for colorimetric cyanide (CN−) detection via Michael addition-based chemodosimetric approach validated by comparative investigations, DFT, and strip method
Issued Date
2026-03-01
Resource Type
ISSN
10106030
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105016096608
Journal Title
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A Chemistry
Volume
472
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A Chemistry Vol.472 (2026)
Suggested Citation
Shellaiah M., Aazaad B., Lin M.C., Sun K.W., Murugan A., Anandan K., Bhushan M., Sivakumar M., Li W.T. Commercial trans-β-nitrostyrene analogues for colorimetric cyanide (CN−) detection via Michael addition-based chemodosimetric approach validated by comparative investigations, DFT, and strip method. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A Chemistry Vol.472 (2026). doi:10.1016/j.jphotochem.2025.116786 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/114761
Title
Commercial trans-β-nitrostyrene analogues for colorimetric cyanide (CN−) detection via Michael addition-based chemodosimetric approach validated by comparative investigations, DFT, and strip method
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Using commercial materials for colorimetric detection of toxic cyanide (CN<sup>−</sup>) anions can greatly improve safety and benefit society. This work discusses the colorimetric sensing properties of commercially available trans-β-nitrostyrene analogues, including trans-β-nitrostyrene (P1), trans-4-methoxy-β-nitrostyrene (P2), trans-4-methyl-β-nitrostyrene (P3), trans-4-fluoro-β-nitrostyrene (P4), trans-4-bromo-β-nitrostyrene (P5), trans-4-chloro-β-nitrostyrene (P6), and trans-β-methyl-β-nitrostyrene (P7), in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and acetonitrile (ACN). P1-P4 show strong reddish-pink and yellowish-orange colors while detecting CN<sup>−</sup> ions in DMSO and ACN, with new UV–visible peaks appearing at 515 nm/510 nm and at 490 nm/485 nm, respectively. Conversely, P5 and P6 exhibit mild color responses to CN<sup>−</sup> in DMSO and ACN, with absorbance peaks at 505 nm/510 nm and at 490 nm/430 nm, respectively. P7 shows no selectivity for CN<sup>−</sup> ions due to steric and electronic structural effects. The high selectivity of P1-P4 for CN<sup>−</sup> is confirmed through interference studies. pH values of 6 and 7 are ideal for sensory testing. The sensor response of P1-P6 to CN<sup>−</sup> is linear across a range of 0.1 to 1000 μM (μM = 10<sup>−6</sup> M), with estimated detection limits (LODs) at 10<sup>−9</sup>–10<sup>−6</sup> M. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), mass spectra, and density functional theory (DFT) analyses validate the Michael addition as the sensing mechanism. The test strip method demonstrates the solid-state colorimetric sensing ability of P1-P3 for CN<sup>−</sup> ions. Spiked CN<sup>−</sup> ions in water samples show the real-time sensing capability of P1-P4. These results open the door for future designs using different fluorophores with nitro (-NO<inf>2</inf>) Michael acceptor.