Two methyl-chromeno-pyridinylidene hydrazone derivatives L1, a cyclen derivative, and L2 were studied as potential fluorescent OFF-ON sensors towards Zn2+ in DMSO. Upon addition of one equivalent of Zn2+, L1 fluorescence was quenched, but addition of a second equivalent of Zn2+ restored partially the signal. Therefore ZnL1 behaved as a OFF-ON sensor for zinc. By comparison, L2 behaved as a very sensitive probe for zinc. ZnL1 and L2 sensor efficiencies were correlated to Zn2+ coordination via the hydrazone moiety of the fluorophore, which prevented a photoinduced electron transfer (PET), and allowed an efficient CHelation-Enhanced Fluorescence (CHEF) effect. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved,