A simple Schiff base (L) based on 2-hydroxyacetophenone and o-phenylenediamine was prepared which acts as an effective fluorescent sensor for Al3+ with ca. 9.0 fold enhancement in fluorescence intensity and detection limit 10(-4.3) M. L can quite clearly distinguish Al3+ over other metal ions Zn2+, Hg2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, Mn2+, Mg2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Ca2+, K+, Li+, Na+ and Fe3+. Cyclic voltammogram and square wave voltammogram of L shows a significant change on interaction with Al3+. Spectroscopic data and DFT calculations confirm 1:1 interaction between L and Al3+ which is reversible with respect to Na(2)EDTA.