In recent years, push-pull dicyanovinyl derivatives have been reported for several optical applications, including as fluorescent probes for cyanide ion detection. In presence of cyanide ions, this type of compound exhibits an ICT mechanism associated with the addition of the cyanide ion to the β-position of the dicyanovinyl group, due to the strong electron-withdrawing effect of the cyano groups. These structural changes caused by the addition reaction are accompanied by changes in the probe’s absorption and emission.

In this communication, we report a thiophene-based dicyanovinyl derivative and its prospective application as an anion chemosensor. The photophysical characterization was carried out in acetonitrile and aqueous acetonitrile solutions. Preliminary sensing assays in the presence of various anions of biological, medicinal and environmental relevance and spectrophotometric titrations on relevant anions will be presented.