Schiff base derivatives NBAR and NSAR were developed for selective detection of Al3+ in aqueous solution. UV-vis spectroscopic studies revealed that NBAR and NSAR showed marked sensitivity and selectivity to Al3+ in acetonitrile (ACN)/water (v/v, 1:1, pH 6.80). The NBAR and NSAR receptors bound Al3+ in a 2:1 stoichiometry with apparent binding constants 4.09 x 10(11) M-2 and 1.65 x 10(12) M-2, respectively. They also displayed distinct changes in color upon the alteration of free Al3+ levels in solution with reversible responses and showed little interference with other metal ions.