An L-arginine derivative featuring an anthracene unit (1) was synthesized, which could selectively bind Cu2＋in neutral aqueous solutions resulting in fluorescence quenching. Almost no fluorescent changes were observed upon the addition of other metal ions such as Mg2＋, Co2＋, Ba2＋, Ca2＋, Ni2＋, Zn2＋, Cd2＋, Fe3＋and Hg2＋. In addition, the fluorescence intensity of 1 could be reversibly tuned by OH－/H＋or Cu2＋/ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in the neutral aqueous solutions. Hereby, starting with compound 1 system, a NOR logic gate was fabricated with OH－ and Cu2＋as two chemical inputs. On the other hand, starting with 1-Cu2＋complex system, an OR logic gate was fabricated with H＋and EDTA as two chemical inputs.

Key words: molecular logic gate, fluorescent switch, L-arginine, anthracene, Cu2＋