Selective monitoring and targeted identification of various noxious ions have received significant attention in biology, industry and environments. Herein, we developed an easily available colorimetric and fluorescence sensor (PZ) based on phenazine derivative, successfully achieving the discriminative detection of Hg2+ and CN− ions. Compared with other interfering ions, PZ had high sensitivity and specificity towards Hg2+ and CN−. The lowest limits of Hg2+ and CN- by PZ were 1.52 × 10−8 M and 7.05 × 10−7 M, respectively. Significantly, this chemosensor PZ allowed visual monitoring of toxic Hg2+ and CN− ions in a few seconds, presenting a great potential in the practical application (skin-whitening cosmetic, water samples, and nutlet). Such an effective strategy is expected to offer some guidance for distinguishing the identification of toxic ions in optical sensing.
