Cyanide modulated fluorescent supramolecular assembly of a hexaphenylbenzene derivative for detection of trinitrotoluene at the attogram level.

Fluorescent nanorods formed by self-assembly of hexaphenylbenzene derivative in the presence of cyanide ions serve as a sensitive colorimetric and fluorogenic sensor for the detection of trinitrotoluene (TNT) at the attogram (10(-18) g) level with a detection limit of 10.21 ppq (parts per quadrillion).