Simultaneous determination of Hg(II) and Zn(II) using a GFP inspired chromophore

A dual-function chemosensor for Hg(2+) and Zn(2+) ions, inspired by the green fluorescent protein (GFP) chromophore, was designed and synthesized, which could specifically recognize Zn(2+) through an "OFF-ON" fluorescence mechanism due to the restriction of the free rotation of the aryl-alkene bond, whilst also producing a selective visible colorimetric response from yellow to pink with Hg(2+) ions. The response upon exposure to Zn(2+) and Hg(2+) is instantaneous, and the detect limits of Zn(2+) and Hg(2+) are 2.18×10(-8) M and 4.91×10(-7) M respectively.