Schiff base - Zn2+ ion combo as 'pick and degrade' probe for selected organophosphorus chemical weapon mimics and flame retardant analog: Detoxification of fruits and vegetables in aqueous media.

A hydrazone based Schiff base (SB) has been synthesized and investigated for the detection, quantification and degradation of selective organophosphates (i.e diethyl chlorophosphate, diethyl cyanophosphonate, tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate and dichlorvos). The organophosphates (OPs) form a covalent bond with -OH groups of SB and form SB-OP which quenches emission signal at 533 nm. Therefore, it can be used for the spectrofluorimetric detection and quantification of OPs upto the detection limits of 10.2, 158.2, 10.3 and 122.7 nM, respectively. Besides, the SB-OP duo undergoes degradation to non-toxic species in the presence of Zn2+ ions. The mechanism of interaction between SB-OP-Zn2+ trio is investigated by spectrofluorometric, spectroscopic, chromatographic and spectrometric experiments. The optimized recognition and degradation protocols were found accurate and precise when applied to fruits, vegetable and soil samples. Overall, the developed protocols prove SB as highly sensitive, selective and recyclable 'pick and degrade' probe for the recognition and degradation of OPs.