Solvent dependent ESIPT-based probe for optical recognition of Zr(iv) and Zn(ii)

1-Ethynylcyclohexyl appended bis-imine (DEC) efficiently recognizes Zr( iv ) in EtOH–H 2 O and Zn( ii ) in DMSO–H 2 O through intense green and blue fluorescence, respectively. The respective LODs and binding constants are 19.43 nM, 23.46 nM and 2.94 × 10 5 M −1 , 1.97 × 10 5 M −1 .