Mechanosynthesis of Diaminobiphenyls-Based Schiff’s Bases as Simple Probes for the Naked-Eye Detection of Cyanide Ion

Cyanide ions are known to be lethal for insects and mammals harmful the environment, new methods their selective detection in high demand. Herein, mechanosynthesis of simple Schiff’s bases-based probes S1–S3 visual CN− anion is reported. These were obtained by means a reaction between isomeric 4,4-, 3,3- 2,2-diaminobiphenyls 4-nitrobenzaldehyde under ball milling conditions. The showed selectivity sensitivity toward via dramatic “yellow-to-dark purple” color change with limit 26 × 103, 8.7 103 14 ppm S1–S3, respectively. proposed mechanism suggests deprotonation proton from an imine moiety, followed formation charge transfer complexes (CTC).