A new thiacalix[4]arene-fluorescein based probe for detection of CN(-) and Cu(2+) ions and construction of a sequential logic circuit.

A new thiacalix[4]arene-fluorescein based fluorescent probe was synthesized, which shows a turn-on fluorescence response in the presence of CN(-) ions attributed to the nucleophilic addition of cyanide ions and the resulting cyanide adduct was used for the selective detection of copper ions. Furthermore, based on the fluorescence response a two input, one output, sequential logic circuit was constructed in the presence of CN(-) and Cu(2+) ions.