A series of novel azo linked polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons-based sensors (R1-R3) were designed and synthesized in single step. R1-R3 was further developed for the selective and sensitive detection of Cu2+ and Hg2+ ions over the other transition metal ions. Receptors exhibit sensible fluorescence enhancement with a detectable naked-eye color changes in the presence of Cu2+ and Hg2+ ions in aqueous medium. R2 and R3 were also successfully established as a fluorescent probe for detecting Cu2+ and Hg2+ ions in RAW 264.7 cells.