A fluorescence turn-on sensor for Hg2+ with a simple receptor available in sulphide-rich environments.
Detection of Hg(2+) in complex natural environmental conditions is extremely challenging, and no entirely successful methods currently exist. Here we report an easy-to-prepare fluorescent sensor B3 with 2-aminophenol as Hg(2+) receptor, which exhibits selective fluorescence enhancement toward Hg(2+) over other metal ions. Especially, the fluorescence enhancement was unaffected by anions and cations existing in environment and organism. Moreover, B3 can detect Hg(2+) in sulphide-rich environments without cysteine, S(2-) or EDTA altering the fluorescence intensity. Consequently, B3 is capable of distinguishing between safe and toxic levels of Hg(2+) in more complicated natural water systems with detection limit ≤2 ppb.
State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, People's Republic of China. fanjl@dlut.edu.cn
Jiangli
J
Fan
Xiaojun
X
Peng
Song
S
Wang
Xiaojian
X
Liu
Honglin
H
Li
Shiguo
S
Sun
D000627:Aminophenols / Q000737:chemistry*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000032:analysis / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis*; D013440:Sulfides / Q000737:chemistry*
D000627:Aminophenols; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D013440:Sulfides; C027667:2-aminophenol; D008628:Mercury