Abstract In this paper, Schiff base (PAH) and its poly(azomethine-urethane) derivative (P-PAH) were synthesized and high-quality film sensor of these compounds could be easily fabricated on transparent polyester surface through dip-coating technique. Then, these films were used as fluorescence probes for the detection of metal ions in aqueous solutions. Photophysical properties of fluorescent films were investigated using fluorescence and UV–vis spectrometers. Fluorescence properties of probes were investigated in the presence of a series of different metal ions and the results showed that monomer and polymer films have a highly sensitive and selective response to Fe3+ ion in deionized water. Moreover, fluorescence measurements showed that the prepared fluorescent films have in the range 143–180 nm Stokes shift value. Also, contact angles of film probes were investigated and contact angles of PAH and P-PAH probes measured as 85 ± 1 and 95 ± 2o, respectively.