A highly selective fluorescent probe for Sn2+ based on a new photochromic diarylethene with a phenol-containing Schiff base unit

235A novel asymmetrical diarylethene with a phenol-containing Schiff base unit has been synthesized. It exhibited multi-responsive photoswitching property induced by the stimulation of UV/vis and base/acid. In addition, the diarylethene can serve as a fluorescence probe for recognition of Sn2+ with high selectivity.