A near-infrared fluorescent chemosensor (NIR-Rh) is developed for detecting Al3+.
Fisher aldehyde is introduced to rhodamine dyes to extend emission wavelength.
The chemosensor shows a high sensitive response to Al3+ with 77-fold enhancement.
The chemosensor exhibits a high selectivity for Al3+ over other metal ions.
The chemosensor has been used in living cells and tissues successfully.