A convenient synthetic approach to Schiff bases based on 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-6-formylpicolinonitrile as surrogates of 2,2′-bipyridine ligands is proposed. The synthesis was carried out using the “1,2,4-triazine” methodology, and a more efficient method for the preparation of 5-aryl-6-cyanopyridine-2-carbaldehydes was developed compared to the previously described one, which involves the use of isonitrosoacetophenone hydrazone and chloroacetonitrile as starting compounds. The resulting compounds exhibit fluorescence in solutions with a quantum yield of up to 15.4%, as well as a fluorescent response to the zinc cation in the form of dramatic fluorescence quenching. © 2023, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.