A new chromo-chemodosimeter selective for sulfide anion

J Am Chem Soc. 2003 Jul 30;125(30):9000-1. doi: 10.1021/ja0347336.

Abstract

A new chromo-chemodosimeter for the anion sulfide in aqueous environments has been developed. The recognition concept is based on a pyrylium-thiopyrylium transformation that is conveniently drawn toward "color chemistry" concepts by means of the anchoring of an aniline group. This causes the color of the aniline-pyrylium backbone in L1 to change selectively from magenta to blue when transformed to the corresponding aniline-thiopyrylium in the presence of the sulfide anion. The method is simple and easy, suggesting potential applications in a variety of different environments where easy and rapid determination of sulfide might be required.