A simple coumarin based sensor 1 has been synthesized from the condensation reaction of 7-hydroxycoumarin and ethylenediamine via the intermediate 7-hydroxy-8-aldehyde-coumarin. As a multiple analysis sensor, 1 can monitor Zn²⁺ with the fluorescence enhanced at 457 nm, and ratiometric detection at 290 nm, 350 nm and 420 nm in DMF/H₂O (1/4, v/v) medium. Sensor 1 can also monitor Mg²⁺ with the fluorescence enhanced at 430 nm, and ratiometric detection at 290 nm, 370 nm and 430 nm in DMF medium through the interaction of chelation enhance fluorescence (CHEF) with metal ions. Furthermore, 1 also can monitor F⁻ with the fluorescence enhanced at 460 nm, and ratiometric detection at 290 nm and 390 nm in DMF medium simultaneously via hydrogen bonding and deprotonation with F− anion. Spectral titration, isothermal titration calorimetry and mass spectrometry revealed that the sensor formed a 1:1 complex with Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺ or F⁻, with stability constants of 4.5 × 10⁶, 3.4 × 10⁶, 8.0 × 10⁴ M⁻1 respectively. The complexation of the ions by 1 was an exothermic reaction driven by entropy processes. Furthermore, the sensor exhibits good membrane-permeability and was capable of monitoring at the intracellular Zn²⁺ level in living cells
