Novel compounds, based on the 2(1H)‐quinolone skeleton, were synthesised and characterised using 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and chemical ionisation mass spectrometry (CI MS). Their spectroscopic properties, such as absorption and emission spectra and fluorescence quantum yield, were also examined. 7‐maleimido‐4‐methyl‐2(1H)‐quinolone, 7‐maleimido‐3,4‐dimethyl‐2(1H)‐quinolone, 7‐maleimido‐4‐propyl‐2(1H)‐quinolone and 7‐maleimido‐4‐phenyl‐2(1H)‐quinolone were evaluated as potential sensors for the detection of sulphydryl amino acids groups. These new compounds demonstrate a high ‘turn‐on’ fluorescence response and selectivity towards l‐cysteine in the presence of other amino acids and metal cations.