Achieving selective detection of target analytes in aqueous media continues to be an arduous proposition. Herein, we report the conceptualization and synthesis of a novel tailor-fit molecular probe R based on 1,8-naphthalimide which acts as a trifunctional molecular sensor for CN-, Fe3+ and H2S. R shows colorimetric and fluorometric "on-off" relay recognition for CN- (red colour and orange emission) and Fe3+ (no colour and no emission) in 5% H2O + DMSO medium which is experimentally ascertained to be a tandem deprotonation-protonation process and is supported by 1H-NMR titration. Among all RSS (Reactive Sulphur Species), R shows selectivity for H2S through red colouration. Other coexistent anions, cations and RSS cause no discernible perturbation to the detection process. The detection of H2S is attributed to a chemodosimetric reduction of the nitro to amino group as evidenced by a potentiometric titration assay. The experimental observations are well supported by DFT theoretical calculation. The K a for CN-/Fe3+ are 1.4 × 104 M-1, 6.07 × 104 M-1 respectively and photochemical yield of R + CN- is 0.86. Limit of detections for CN-, Fe3+ and H2S are 17.5 nM, 8.69 μM and 8.1 μM respectively. Receptor R is effective for real time applications, bio-compatible and has been successfully employed for confocal fluorescence imaging of RAW264.7 cell and zebrafish.
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