A Colorimetric and Fluorescent Indicator for Hg²⁺ Detection Based on Cinnamamide Group-Containing Rhodamine...

A colorimetric and fluorescent indicator based on cinnamamide group-containing rhodamine derivative was synthesized for the detection of Hg²⁺. The rhodamine B and cinnamamide were connected via ethylenediamine as a bridging molecule through a condensation reaction to obtain a colorimetric and fluorescent indicator for the detection of Hg²⁺ in H₂O-EtOH (4:1, v/v). The indicator was excellent in the selectivity of Hg²⁺ and was almost unaffected by other common ions such as Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cr³⁺. The Hg²⁺-containing aqueous solution turned from colorless to red within 7 min after the addition of the indicator, and had an absorption peak at 564 nm in UV-vis, which implies a significant colorimetric phenomenon. Their characteristic peaks varied with the Hg²⁺ content, and they reached a linear relationship at low concentrations. The binding stoichiometry proved to be 1:1. The lowest detection limit was 4.1 × 10^-7 mol/L, ranging from acidic to neutral.