A simple naphthalimide based PET probe for Fe3+ and selective detection of pyrophosphate through displacement approach: Cell imaging studies and logic interpretation

•A simple PET based fluorescence probe has been reported.•Probe shows fluorescence “Off–On–Off” response to detect Fe3+ and pyrophosphate (PPi) ions•Probe is compatible for biological medium and is able to detect ions in live cells and in zebra fish larvae.•The probe mimics the function of a molecular switch, demonstrating “write-read-erase-read” functions