Colorimetric detection of cyanide with N-nitrophenyl benzamide derivatives

A series of structurally simple N-nitrophenyl benzamide derivatives have been developed as chemosensors toward cyanide in aqueous environment by taking advantage of the cyanide's strong affinity toward the acyl carbonyl carbon. The high selectivity of these compounds toward CN⁻ makes it a practical system for monitoring CN⁻ concentrations in aqueous samples.