Bis naphthalene derived dual functional chemosensor: Specific signalling for Al3+ and Fe3+ ions with on-the-spot detection, bio-imaging, and logic gate applications

•A bis-naphthalene derived chemosensor R was developed for specific detection of Al3+ and Fe3+ by fluorimetric and colorimetric techniques respectively.•A “turn-off” to “turn-on” mechanism was proposed upon the binding of chemosensor R with Al3+ and Fe3+ by the CN isomerization, blockage of PET and ESIPT process.•LOD was calculated to be 23.2 µM and 1.714 µM for Al3+ and Fe3+ detection by fluorimetry and colorimetry respectively.•Varied applications were demonstrated successfully.