This paper describes the synthesis and optical application of a novel, xanthane-based colorimetric and fluorescent `on-off' sensor RhCHN for the selective recognition and discrimination of Cu 2+ ions. Its structural characterization was achieved by NMR (1 H and 13 C), FT-IR sand LC-MS/MS analyses. Among the metal ions tested, only addition of Cu 2+ ions to the probe in buffer solution, the maximum increases in both absorption and fluorescent emission spectra at 565 and 588 nm, respectively, were observed, followed by an immediate change in color from colorless to purple, visible to the naked eye. It was found that the RhCHN probe showed remarkable selectivity and sensitivity to copper ions only among the metal ions initially used. According to Job's plot method, it was estimated that RhCHN is bound to the Cu 2+ ion to form a complex within a 1:1 coordination stoichiometry (RhCHN:Cu 2+). To the best of our knowledge, a strong bond interaction between Cu 2+ and RhCHN has most likely gone through the spirolactam ring opening process. With an acceptable detection limit for copper ions, the analytical applications implied that the chromogenic and fluorogenic double response probe RhCHN can be effectively used for direct visualization and detection of Cu 2+ in aqueous medium.