A rhodamine-based fluorescent probe for detecting Hg(2+) in a fully aqueous environment

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Mercury ions (Hg2+) pose significant environmental and health risks.
• Developing selective and sensitive detection methods for Hg2+ is crucial.
• Fluorescent probes offer advantages for real-time and in-situ monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and synthesize a water-soluble fluorescent probe for Hg2+ detection.
• To evaluate the probe's response characteristics (colorimetric and fluorescent).
• To assess the probe's suitability for bioimaging in living cells.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a rhodamine B derivative-based fluorescent probe.
• Spectroscopic analysis (UV-Vis and fluorescence) to determine probe response.
• Testing probe selectivity and sensitivity in aqueous media.
• Confocal microscopy for live-cell bioimaging studies.

Main Results:

• The synthesized probe demonstrated reversible colorimetric and fluorescent responses to Hg2+.
• High selectivity for Hg2+ was observed, even in low-organic-cosolvent media (<1%).
• The probe exhibited cell permeability and enabled real-time imaging of intracellular Hg2+.
• Successful application in confocal microscopy for live-cell imaging.

Conclusions:

• A novel, water-soluble fluorescent probe for Hg2+ has been successfully developed.
• The probe offers a sensitive, selective, and real-time method for Hg2+ detection.
• Its cell permeability and imaging capabilities make it valuable for biological applications.