A novel strategy for chromogenic chemosensors highly selective toward cyanide based on its reaction with 4-(2,4-dinitrobenzylideneamino)benzenes or 2,4-dinitrostilbenes.

•A novel anionic chromogenic chemosensor is proposed.•The imines studied are chromogenic chemosensors highly selective toward CN−.•The anion acts as a nucleophile, being responsible for CN bond breaking.•CC bridge is not broken in the stilbenes: CN− attacks on the 2,4-dinitrophenyl group.•The crystal structure of one imine was determined by X-ray diffraction.