Sensing and discrimination of cyanide and hydrogen sulfide using an 8-alkenyl-4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene derivative

8-(2-Phenylethenyl)BODIPY has been shown to be an appropriate chromo-fluorogenic probe for cyanide in H2O. Good selectivity and LOD values below the allowed cyanide concentration in drinking water were attained. Cyanide can be discriminated from hydrogen sulphide by an oxidation process with hydrogen peroxide.