The invention relates to a probe for detecting copper ions and zinc ions. The probe is an imine derivative of [5] helicene. The imine derivative is complexed with copper ions, so that obvious absorption peaks appear in a visible light area, and the copper ions can be detected by using an ultraviolet-visible spectrum. The imine derivative is complexed with zinc ions, so that fluorescence is raised, and the zinc ions can be detected by using a fluorescence spectrum. A preparation method comprises the following steps: firstly, performing a reaction on a [5] helicene compound with hydroxyl and chloromethyl methyl ether; performing a reaction with butyl lithium and DMF continuously to introduce a formyl group on a ortho-position of hydroxyl; and performing a reaction with an amino compound continuously to generate the [5] helicene imine derivative DC. The probe provided by the invention has the advantages that the prepared helicene derivative DC is simple and convenient to synthesize, high in yield, easy to prepare and suitable for amplified synthesis and actual production and application; bivalent copper ions can be detected by using the ultraviolet-visible spectrum, and the bivalent zinc ions can be detected by means of the fluorescence method; the probe as a novel probe can be applied to the field of ion detection; the probe is good in molecular selectivity and high in sensitivity, has the advantages of fast response and obvious phenomenon, and has a wide application prospect.