A simple coumarin as a turn-on fluorescence sensor for Al(III) ions

A simple Al3+ sensor, 8-acetyl-7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin (AHMC), was synthesized. It can display an excellent fluorescence turn-on response to Al3+ over other common metal ions in methanol-water media. Theoretical calculations have also been carried out to understand the configuration of the AHMC-Al complex and rationalize experimental absorption data.