The mononuclear complex [AlHL] (1) has been prepared using AlCl 3 , H 4 L and triethylamine in a 1:1:3 ratio (H 4 L=1,1,1,1-tetrakis[(2-salicylaldiminomethyl)]methane). [Al(HL)] crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c. Although H 4 L does not emit at room temperature, a remarkable CHEF (Chelation Enhancement of Fluorescence Emission) effect is observed upon the formation of the complex [Al(HL)] (1). When excited at a wavelength of 350nm, complex 1 emits at 433nm. Blue emitting aluminum complexes find special importance as far as OLEDs are concerned and complex 1 is one of the best blue emitting compounds to the best of our knowledge. Emission titration of a solution of complex 1 in acetonitrile with Zn 2+ , Cd 2+ , Hg 2+ and Pb 2+ shows selectivity towards the Zn 2+ ion. Unlike Cd 2+ , Hg 2+ and Pb 2+ , which quench the emission, Zn 2+ enhances the fluorescence intensity by 1.64-folds. The quenching process follows the Stern–Volmer equation and in order to get an insight of whether the quenching is static or dynamic in nature, lifetime measurements were carried out. Interestingly, mercury was found to follow static quenching, while cadmium, lead and nickel adopted dynamic quenching pathways.