Abstract:Compound calix[4]arene, namely 5,11,13,17–tertbutyl–26,28–dihydroxy–25,27–di[2–[4– (N,N–diethoxyformyl amino)phenyl–4,5–diphenyl–1H–imidazol–1]–yl–butoxycalix[4]arene (M) modified with ethoxyformyl aminoimidazole was synthesized and characterized as a fluorescent probe. Its recognition properties for metal ions were determined by UV and fluorescent spectra in the CH3OH/H2O (VCH3OH/VH2O = 3/7, Tris–HCl buffer aqueous, pH=6.5). The results indicated that compound M expressed high selectivity and sensitivity for Al3+ (1:1) and Ag+ (1:2) without interruption in the presence of other metal ions. Meanwhile, when Al3+ than Ag+ ions coexisted, the fluorescent intensity between compound M and Al3+ were observed. Compared with other calix[4]arene derivatives, compound M realized the recognition with Al3+ than Ag+ ions in the aqueous solution.