A novel fluorescent and colorimetric probe for cascade selective detection of Fe(III) and pyrophosphate based on a click generated cyclic steroid–rhodamine conjugate

•The probe displayed turn-on orange fluorescence and colorless to pink color change upon binding with Fe3+.•The resultant probe–Fe3+ complex further exhibited fluorescence turn-off and pink to colorless selectively toward PPi in a cascade sensing manner.•The probe could be utilized for selective sensing of Fe3+ and PPi based on distinct fluorescence and color changes on silica gel plates, in water samples and living cells.