A triphenylamine-based fluorescent probe 1 with larger Stokes shift (∼141 nm) has been synthesized, which can make an efficient nucleophilic addition by reacting with CN− in water. Upon addition of CN−, the red fluorescence of 1 was distinctly quenched. Importantly, 1 exhibits a highly selective response toward CN− over other anions in water and a high sensitivity (detection limit ⩽ 11 nM). Moreover, it has potential application to track CN− levels in living cells by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM).A new fluorescent triphenylamine-based sensor 1 with larger Stokes shift (∼141 nm) was developed, showing red-emitting fluorescence with high selectivity to cyanide anion in pure water and in living HeLa cells.

A triphenylamine-based fluorescent probe 1 with larger Stokes shift (∼141 nm) has been synthesized, which can make an efficient nucleophilic addition by reacting with CN− in water. Upon addition of CN−, the red fluorescence of 1 was distinctly quenched. Importantly, 1 exhibits a highly selective response toward CN− over other anions in water and a high sensitivity (detection limit ⩽ 11 nM). Moreover, it has potential application to track CN− levels in living cells by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM).A new fluorescent triphenylamine-based sensor 1 with larger Stokes shift (∼141 nm) was developed, showing red-emitting fluorescence with high selectivity to cyanide anion in pure water and in living HeLa cells.