A　squaraine　based　ratiometric　near-infrared　fluorescent　probe　with　bipyridyl　binding　arms　for　Zn2+　(SQ-1)　has　been　designed　and　synthesized.　SQ-1　exhibits　a　selective　fluorogenic　response　to　Zn2+　in　acetone　by　a　22　nm　red-shift　and　a　remarkable　enhancement　of　the　fluorescence　intensity.　Further　study　shows　that　the　calculated　detection　limit　for　Zn　2+　is　6.1　×　10-8　M　(3σ/k)　and　the　identification　for　Zn2+　will　not　be　impacted　by　competing　ions　such　as　Na+,　K+,　Mg2+,　Ca2+,　Pb　2+,　Mn2+,　Ba2+　and　Hg2+.　The　binding　mode　between　SQ-1　and　Zn2+　has　also　been　discussed.　©　2013　Elsevier　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.