Push-pull chromophores based on 1-dicyanomethylene-2-chloro-3-aminoindene are readily synthesized. These compounds undergo dramatic colour changes in the presence of metal cations as a result of the interaction of the amino substituent with the analytes. One of these compounds is a selective copper(ii) colorimetric probe in acetonitrile solution, displaying a dramatic colour change upon coordination of the amine group to the metal centre. These compounds are also selective cyanide sensors in acetonitrile solution because of the disruption of the intramolecular charge transfer process as the result of the nucleophilic addition of the anion to the indene moiety.