Novel rhodamine-based colorimetric and fluorescent sensor for the dual-channel detection of Cu2+ and Co2+/trivalent metal ions and its AIRE activities.

A rhodamine hydrazone 1 bearing coumarin moiety was designed and prepared. Compound 1 exhibited high selectivity toward Co2+ and trivalent metal ions with fluorescence enhancement in CH3OH solution. However, 1 selectively responded to Al3+ in nearly pure H2O media and was further applied to monitor Al3+ in live cells. Moreover, 1 could also act as a colorimetric probe toward Cu2+ in either CH3OH or H2O solution. In addition, sensor 1 displayed aggregation-induced ratiometric emission (AIRE) activities in mixed H2O/CH3OH solution.