Chromogenic chemodosimeter based on a silylated azo compound detects cyanide in water and cassava.

A novel silylated azo compound was synthesized and fully characterized. This compound was used in a chromogenic chemodosimeter approach for the highly selective detection of cyanide (CN-) in acetonitrile/water and in an aqueous micellar system. The anion breaks the Si-O bond, delivering a dye and causing a change in the color of the solution (from yellow to blue). The chemodosimeter was employed for the naked-eye and quantitative detection of CN- in tap water and cassava roots.