Oligophenylvinylene-derived fluorescent sensor: Cyanide recognition and its anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antioxidant activities

Abstract

The development of highly selective and sensitive sensors for cyanide ion (CN sup(-)) detection is of critical importance due to the extreme toxicity of CN sup(-) to living organisms. In this study, we report the design and synthesis of an oligo(p-phenylene vinylene) (OPV)-based fluorescent sensor, CNR3, capable of selectively detecting CN sup(-) via a distinct fluorescence quenching mechanism. The sensor establishes excellent selectivity for CN sup(-) over other common anions, featuring a low detection limit of 5.394 mu M and in a rapid response time. Additionally, the CNR3 showed excellent Stern-Volmer quenching constant, and the fluorescence quenching efficiency for CN sup(-) ions, which was calculated to be 6.6 x 104 M and 98.87 percent, respectively. Job's plot showed a 1:2 stoichiometric complexation reaction between CNR3 and CN sup(-) ions. Furthermore, the biological potential of the synthesized OPV sensor was evaluated by investigating its anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antioxidant activities, and cytotoxicity effects, offering valuable insights into its prospective biological applications. The molecular modeling tools were implemented to support the in vitro results of antidiabetic activity of CNR3, which revealed the strong binding affinity of CNR3 to the active sites of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase. The studies reflected that CNR3 bears selective sensing capability along with therapeutic bio-applications.