A highly selective fluorescence-enhanced chemosensor for Al3+ in aqueous solution based on a hybrid ligand from BINOL scaffold and β-amino alcohol

► A chemosensor (R)-OH bearing an amino alcohol group was synthesized. ► (R)-OH presents the highly selective fluorescent recognition of Al3+. ► “Turn-on” type fluorescence changes were observed upon the addition of Al3+ in aqueous solution. ► A dramatic 35.4-fold fluorescence enhancement was observed. ► It has the lower detection limit (16 ppb).