The detection of metal ions in potable water sources is of significant concern due to potential health risks that include gastrointestinal distress, liver, and kidney disease, and in severe cases, death. Consequently, the method of the development of metal ion detection continues to be of interest. One promising method includes the utilization of fluorescent molecules capable of being quenched in the presence of a transition metal, thereby establishing a measurable, concentration dependent ‘on-off’ switch in the presence of the ion. The current research has focused on the synthesis of fluorescent organic molecules and assessing their ability to act as a sensor in the presence of copper (II), a common metal ion contaminant. The fluorescence emission spectra of four different molecules, Py(BIm), Py(oBt), Q(oBt), and 8OHQ(oBt), were collected with and without copper (II) ions. It was found that Py(BIm) exhibited the most pronounced fluorescence emission, surpassing the other ligands by a factor of 10. Aliquots of copper (II) were added to 20 uM of each ligand resulting in metal ion concentrations ranging from 2.5 uM to 200 uM and the resultant emission spectra were recorded. These experiments indicated that there is a significant concentration dependent decrease in the fluorescence intensity of three of the four molecules, Py(BIm), Py(oBt), and Q(oBt) in the presence of copper (II) ions. The use of these molecules as sensors for additional metal ions was also conducted utilizing nickel, zinc, and cobalt salts. Overall, the preliminary data suggests that there are diverse applications for these types of molecules for use as transition metal ion sensors in water.