A selective colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor based-on naphthol for detection of Al³⁺ and Cu²⁺

A simple and easily synthesized colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor 1, based on naphthol moieties as a binding and signaling unit, has been synthesized in a one step procedure. Chemosensor 1 exhibited a color change from yellow to orange and fluorescence enhancement with a red shift upon binding to Al³⁺ in acetonitrile. Moreover, it can selectively detect Cu ²⁺ ions via an ion-promoted oxidation reaction in acetonitrile, resulting in a selective color change from yellow to dark blue and a fluorescence quenching effect. Furthermore, chemosensor 1 showed colorimetric and fluorescence selectivity for Cu²⁺ in aqueous acetonitrile solution.