Two chiral fluorescent chemosensors 1 and 2 were synthesized, and the structure characterized by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, MS spectra and elemental analysis. Their recognition ability was studied in aqueous solution (Tris–HCl buffer pH 7.4, MeOH/H2O= 1: 1) through fluorescence spectra. Receptors 1 and 2 showed a good binding ability to the copper ion. The host 1-Cu2+ complex showed a chiral recognition ability to mandelate ...