A mercuric ensemble based on a cycloruthenated complex as a visual probe for iodide in aqueous solution

Area of Science:

• Coordination Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Development of sensitive and selective chemosensors for anion detection.
• Need for visual detection methods for environmental and biological monitoring.
• Exploration of cycloruthenated complexes in sensing applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and synthesize a new water-soluble cycloruthenated complex.
• To develop a visual sensor for iodide anions using a mercuric ensemble.
• To evaluate the sensing performance, including detection limit and selectivity.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of the cycloruthenated complex Ru(bthiq)(dcbpy)2(+) (1).
• Formation of the mercuric ensemble (1-Hg(2+)).
• Spectrophotometric analysis to determine binding constants and detection limits.
• Preparation of test strips for practical application.

Main Results:

• The synthesized complex (1) formed a mercuric ensemble (1-Hg(2+)) with a binding constant of 2.40×10(4)M(-1).
• Addition of iodide anions (I(-)) to 1-Hg(2+) induced a significant color change from yellow to deep-red due to the release of complex 1.
• The sensor demonstrated a low detection limit of 0.77μM for iodide anions.
• An easily prepared test strip utilizing 1-Hg(2+) was successfully developed for visual iodide detection.

Conclusions:

• The novel water-soluble cycloruthenated complex and its mercuric ensemble provide an effective platform for visual iodide anion detection.
• The sensor exhibits high sensitivity and allows for naked-eye detection, making it suitable for practical applications.
• The developed test strip offers a convenient and accessible method for on-site iodide monitoring.