A novel multifunctional chemosensor HL bearing a julolidine unit and a Schiff base unit has been synthesized. As a fluorescent sensor, HL exhibited excellent selectivity and high sensitivity to Al3+ and F−/CN− with a low detection limit in acetonitrile. Moreover, HL also showed good colorimetric selectivity to F−/CN−; a solution color change from colorless to light yellow in acetonitrile was observed by the ‘naked-eye’. The properties of HL with Al3+ and F−/CN− were studied by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, high-resolution mass spectrometry and 1H NMR titration. Furthermore, the cell imaging experimental results indicated that the chemosensor HL could be applied for the detection of Al3+ in living cells.
