The present invention provides pyrrole end-capped bipyridine derivative having a general formula (1) useful for the detection of zinc ions in solution. The present invention also provides a process for the preparation of pyrrole end-capped bipyridine derivative having a general formula (1). The present invention further provides a dipstick device by coating the assay powder of formula (1) in alumina over a thermoplastic or a glass solid support. The detection event can be monitored by noting the color change and the intense fluorescence change on the surface of the dipstick. For zinc ions, in addition to the color change an intense fluorescence change from greenish-yellow to red is observed. Detection event by means of fluorescence change is selective for Zn2+ ions when compared with all other biologically important metal ions like Na+, K+, Ca2+; Mg2+, Cu2+. The present dipstick is reusable, and can conduct the analysis of different samples using same stick.