An imidazole-functionalized polyacetylene: convenient synthesis and selective chemosensor for metal ions and cyanide

A new light-emitting polyacetylene bearing imidazole moieties in the side chain (P1), was conveniently prepared through a postfunctionalization strategy, as a sensory polymer to selectively report the presence of Cu2+ (with a detection limit of 1.48 ppm) based on the fluorescence ''turn-off''. Interestingly, the quenched luminescence of P1 by Cu2+ could be turned on after the addition of CN, making P1 a novel, sensitive, and selective cyanide probe