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A new highly selective fluorescent turn-on probe (RS4) possessing indolinium moiety has been designed and synthesized for the detection of cyanide ion. The probe RS4 displays instantaneous, highly selective and sensitive recognition of cyanide ion over other common anions via change in color and enhancement in fluorescence. Nucleophilic addition of cyanide to the indolinium C-atom leads to the enhancement in fluorescence (λ em 481 nm; Blueish-green emission) and decolourization due to different intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) process. The binding constant of the 1:2 RS4 /CN¯ adduct is determined to be 2.3 × 104 M−1. The limit of detection of cyanide by RS4 is estimated to be 21 nM. Density functional theory (DFT) based calculations strongly substantiate the results of the experimental investigations. Importantly, the probe detects cyanide ion in agro-products (cassava powder and bitter almond), which demonstrates its value to practical application. • The probe senses cyanide with color change and fluorescent enhancement. • The detection mechanism involves nucleophilic addition of CN− at indolinium C-atom. • Sensing mechanism was delineated using spectral and DFT studies. • The probe successfully sensed CN− of cyanogenic glycoside in agro-products. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]