Functionalised anthracene chemosensors: kinetics and molecular logic gate operations

Thiosemicarbazone ligand based on anthracene moiety N'-(anthracen-9-ylmethylene) pyrrolidine-1-carbothiohydrazide (PA) has been synthesised and shows visual sensing of Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺ and CN⁻ ions across a broad spectrum of ions in solution state. Selective sensing of these ions further confirmed by absorption, emission spectra. While, the other ions do not show any significant colour change. ¹HNMR spectra demonstrated the mechanism of cyanide sensing. Kinetic study based on UV–Vis spectra helps to determine the order and rate constant of sensing reaction of PA with cyanide ion. Further, molecular logic gates constructed from multi-ion detection by PA.