A Highly Selective and Sensitive Fluorescent Chemosensor for Detection of Al3+ in Totally Aqueous Media

A fluorescent chemosensor ( 1 ) based on 2‐hydroxy‐1‐naphthaldehyde Schiff‐base was developed for the detection of Al³⁺ in 100% aqueous solution. Upon addition of Al³⁺, a significant fluorescence enhancement was observed, which was not affected by other metal ions including Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Cr³⁺, Ag⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ under weak acid conditions. Moreover, the specific response to Al³⁺ was visible under natural light. The binding mode between 1 and Al³⁺ was clarified by ESI‐MS and ¹H NMR.