A novel fluorescence nano-chemosensor (L) for Al3+ cations has been synthesized and characterized by NMR studies, IR spectroscopy, elemental analyses, and scanning electron microscopy. The fluorescent nano-chemosensors with size about 40 nm were prepared by nanoprecipitation method. The sensor shows selectivity to Al3+ cations over 17 other metal cations. Upon addition of Al3+, the fluorescence emission of the sensor at 358 nm is significantly increased. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.