A new bifunctional Schiff base as a colorimetric and fluorescence sensor for Al³⁺ and CN^-

A bifunctional Schiff base fluorescent sensor 2 (receptor 2) was prepared and its metal ions and anions sensing properties were investigated. Receptor 2 exhibited an excellent selective fluorescence response toward Al³⁺ and colorimetric response (from yellow to colorless) toward CN^-, respectively among a series of ions. Moreover, the detection limits of receptor 2 for Al³⁺ and CN^- were determined to be 14 nM and 73 nM, respectively. The two detection limit values were sufficiently low to detect nano-molar concentration of Al³⁺ and CN^-.