The synthesis and application of (<i>E</i>)-<i>N</i>′-(benzo[<i>d</i>]dioxol-5-ylmethylene)-4-methyl-benzenesulfonohydrazide for the detection of carcinogenic lead

In this study, noble ligands of (<i>E</i>)-<i>N</i>'-(benzo[<i>d</i>]dioxol-5-ylmethylene)-4-methyl-benzenesulfonohydrazide (BDMMBSH) were prepared <i>via</i> a simple condensation method using benzo-[<i>d</i>][1,3]-dioxole carbaldehyde, benzenesulfonylhydrazine (BSH), and 4-methyl-benzenesulphonylhydrazine (4-MBSH) in good yield, which were crystallized in acetone, EtOAc, and EtOH. The BDMMBSH derivatives were characterized using different spectroscopic techniques, such as ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, FTIR, and UV-Vis spectroscopy, and their crystal structures were analyzed using the single crystal X-ray diffraction method (SCXRDM). Subsequently, the BDMMBSH compounds were used for the significant detection of the carcinogenic heavy metal ion, lead (Pb²⁺), <i>via</i> a reliable electrochemical approach. A sensitive and selective Pb²⁺ sensor was developed <i>via</i> the deposition of a thin layer of BDMMBSH on a GCE with the conducting polymer matrix Nafion (NF). The sensitivity, LOQ, and LOD of the proposed sensor towards Pb²⁺ were calculated from the calibration curves to be 2220.0 pA μM^-1 cm^-2, 320.0 mM, and 96.0 pM, respectively. The validation of the BDMMBSH/GCE/NF sensor probe was performed <i>via</i> the selective determination of Pb²⁺ in spiked natural samples with a satisfactory and rational outcome.