The interactive effect between the oxazole-containing optical switch nucleus and carbazole-containing salicylidene Schiff base: Enhancing photoreactivity and tuning the ion sensing property

•A functionalized diarylethene was designed and synthesized.•Enhancing the photoreactivity and tuning the ion sensing was achieved simultaneously.•Highly discrimination of Fe3+ and Cu2+ without any auxiliary reagent.•We declare that we do not have any commercial or associative interest that represents a conflict of interest in connection with the work submitted.