Two novel binaphthyl compounds have been synthesized for the selective fluorescent recognition of Ca(2+) or Pb(2+). By introducing different terminal groups to the receptor unit, the fluorescence signals of the receptors are significantly changed: 1 is fluorescence enhancement for Ca(2+), 2 is fluorescence quenching for Pb(2+). The binding properties for metal ions were examined by the absorption and fluorescence spectra. The fluorescence intensity enhancement was ascribed to the complex formation between Ca(2+) and 1 which blocked the photo-induced electron transfer process.