Anthracene benzene conjugate (ABC): An asymmetric Schiff base for the selective detection of Ag+ ion using fluorimetry and its applications

•A simple anthracene based chemosensor ABC has been synthesized and characterized through 1H, 13C NMR, mass spectral studies.•The probe ABC detects Ag+ ion through a switch ‘ON-OFF’ fluorometric quenching response supported by the PET off and CHEQ on process.•The binding constant of the probe ABC with Ag+ was calculated as 5.4 × 104 M−1 and the limit of detection upto 1.4 nM level.•Real water and soil sample analysis, latent finger print, fluorescent ink were demonstrated using the probe ABC.