Synthesis of a BINOL‐Based C3 Symmetric Schiff Base and Its Fluorescence Response to Zn2+

Abstract A novel C 3 symmetric 1,1’‐bi‐2‐naphthol‐based Schiff base ( R , R , R )‐ 6 has been synthesized which shows highly selective fluorescence enhancement with Zn 2+ among 21 metal cations examined. Its sensitivity and selectivity are found to be greater than other related C 2 ( 1 ) and C 1 [( R )‐ 9 ] symmetric compounds in the fluorescent recognition of Zn 2+ . The mechanistic study reveals that the selective fluorescence enhancement of the probe can be attributed to the formation of a unimolecular multidentate 6‐coordinated Zn 2+ complex.