title: A highly selective and non-reaction based chemosensor for the detection of Hg2+ ions using a luminescent iridium(III) complex.
abstract: We report herein a novel luminescent iridium(III) complex with two hydrophobic carbon chains as a non-reaction based chemosensor for the detection of Hg(2+) ions in aqueous solution (<0.002% of organic solvent attributed to the probe solution). Upon the addition of Hg(2+) ions, the emission intensity of the complex was significantly enhanced and this change could be monitored by the naked eye under UV irradiation. The iridium(III) complex shows high specificity for Hg(2+) ions over eighteen other cations. The system is capable of detecting micromolar levels of Hg(2+) ions, which is within the range of many chemical systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Daniel Shiu-Hin
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Wai-Chung
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Modi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Li-Juan
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Chung-Hang
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Dik-Lung
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Ma
mesh_terms: D007495:Iridium / Q000737:chemistry*; D049449:Luminescence; D008628:Mercury / Q000737:chemistry*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D007495:Iridium; D008628:Mercury