A new asymmetric Schiff base system as fluorescent chemosensor for Al3 + ion

A new fluorescent sensor, (E)-1-((2-((pyridin-2-ylmethyl)(2-(pyridin-2-ylmethylamino)ethyl)-amino)ethylimino)methyl) naphthalen-2-ol (HL), has been synthesized and characterized. Exhibiting absorption and fluorescence changes in the presence of Al3 + in ethanol solution, HL could be used as a colorimetric ‘naked eye’ and fluorescent chemosensor for the detection of Al3 + ions. The mechanism of fluorescence was based on the cation-induced inhibition of excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT).