Modulating the selectivity of a colorimetric sensor based on a Schiff base-functionalized diarylethene towards anions by judicious choice of solvent

A novel diarylethene derivative with a 9-fluorenone hydrazone unit has been synthesized, which showed multi-responsive for light, acid-base and anions. Its sensing properties were well studied by colorimetric and spectroscopic method, and the selectivity could be modulated through judicious choice of solvent. It can simultaneously colorimetric sensing of carbonate ion in methanol with the detection limit of 1.25 × 10−6 mol L-1 and cyanide ion in tetrahydrofuran with the detection of 2.85 × 10−7 mol L−1, respectively. The different sensing mechanism for carbonate ion and cyanide ion was confirmed by UV–vis and 1H-NMR characterization techniques. Moreover, the compound can be used detect carbonate ion and cyanide ion in natural water sample with a high accuracy.