Copper Complex-Embedded Vesicular Receptor for Selective Detection of Cyanide Ion and Colorimetric Monitoring of Enzymatic Reaction

Detection of environmentally important ion cyanide (CN–) has been done by a new method involving displacement of both metal and indicator, metal indicator displacement approach (MIDA) on the vesicular interface. Terpyridine unit was selected as the binding site for metal (Cu2+), whereas Eosin-Y (EY) was preferred as an indicator. About 150 nm sized nanoscale vesicular ensemble (Lip-1.Cu) has shown good selectivity and sensitivity for CN– without any interference from other biologically and environmentally important anions. Otherwise, copper complexes are known for the interferences of binding with phosphates and amino acids. The Lip-1.Cu nanoreceptor also has the possibility to be used for real-time colorimetric scanning for the released HCN via enzymatic reactions. Lip-1.Cu has several superiorities over the other reported sensor systems. It has worked in 100% aqueous environment, fast response time with colorimetric monitoring of enzymatic reaction, and low detection limit.