Recent advances in the colorimetric detection of cyanide

Abstract

This short-review discusses the recent developments in the colorimetric detection of cyanide with different types of receptors. Significant progress in terms of selectivity, sensitivity and straightforwardness has been observed for either organic-, main group- or transition metal-based sensors. Our group has developed a simple and highly specific system for the optical sensing of cyanide based on the conformational switch of commercially available vitamin B 12. © Schweizerische Chemische Gesellschaft.