Coumarinyl aldehyde as a Michael acceptor type of colorimetric and fluorescent probe for cyanide in water

A simple aldehyde-functionalized coumarin (1) was utilized as a doubly activated Michael acceptor type of chemodosimeter for cyanide in water. The probe has shown a selective and sensitive response to the cyanide anion over other various anions through the Michael addition reaction of the cyanide to 1. When cyanide anions were added, the prominent color changes as well as fluorescence changes of 1 were observed so that millimolar concentrations of cyanides were detectable by the naked eye.