Multi-step detection of cyanide ion by a bis(dimesitylboryl)dibenzoazaborine

A bis(dimesitylboryl)dibenzoazaborine formed Lewis acid–base type complexes with up to two cyanide ions in stepwise fashion. The complex formation constants for cyanide ion were larger than those for fluoride ion, despite the higher affinity of fluoride ion to boron atoms than that of cyanide ion.