Anthraimidazoledione-based organogelator for specific analyte sensing: a role of nitro-substitution in cyanide sensing

Herein, we reported the synthesis and characterization of anthraimidazole based gelation molecule for the detection of toxic anions which are known till date (F^-and CN^-). Gels are further characterized by powdered XRD, FE-SEM, TGA-DSC, FT-IR. The primary force responsible for the gel formation in organic medium is the hydrogen bonding interaction. The SEM image suggested a fibrous like framework for the formation of gel. XRD data provide the π-π interactions for gel formation. The gel was used for selective detection of CN^-ion in aqueous-organic medium. The change in colour and breaking of gel was found for CN^- ion. The probable mechanism for breaking of gel might be due to the deprotonation of -NH- hydrogen and other weak intermolecular forces.