Investigating the interaction of a nitrobenzoxadiazole derivative with metal ions: Photophysical and theoretical (DFT) study

► Receptor-analyte interaction has been studied. ► Photophysical and DFT studies have been carried out. ► Significant fluorescence enhancement is observed with Fe(III) and Cr(III). ► π-Overlapping interaction between the receptor and M(III) has been observed.