Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 8, 2025
17:14
Compact Quantum Dots for Single-molecule Imaging
Published on: October 9, 2012
18.4K
Single-Atom Switching as a General Approach to Designing Colorimetric and Fluorogenic Probes for Mercury Ions
Axel Loredo1, Lushun Wang1, Shichao Wang1
1Department of Chemistry, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas, 77005.
Dyes and Pigments : an International Journal
|April 19, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed new colorimetric and fluorogenic probes for detecting mercury ions. These probes offer high selectivity and sensitivity for mercury detection in aqueous and cellular environments.
Area of Science:
- Chemical Sensors
- Fluorescent Probes
- Environmental Monitoring
Background:
- Mercury ions pose significant environmental and health risks.
- Existing methods for mercury detection can be complex or lack sensitivity.
- Development of selective and sensitive probes is crucial for mercury monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a facile and general strategy for creating colorimetric and fluorogenic probes.
- To enable selective detection of mercury ions in aqueous and intracellular environments.
- To create probes with high selectivity, sensitivity, membrane-permeability, and rapid response.
Main Methods:
- Single-atom replacement within common fluorophores via thionation of carbonyl groups.
- Preparation of thiocaged probes with reduced fluorescence quantum yield.
- Desulfurization of probes in the presence of mercury ions to restore fluorescence and colorimetric signals.
Main Results:
- Developed a broad-spectrum class of colorimetric and fluorogenic probes.
- Probes showed efficient desulfurization upon mercury ion interaction.
- Achieved pronounced changes in chromogenic and fluorogenic signals for mercury detection.
- Demonstrated high selectivity and sensitivity for mercury ions.
Conclusions:
- The developed probes offer a versatile platform for mercury ion detection.
- These probes are suitable for both aqueous and intracellular mercury visualization.
- The strategy provides a general approach for designing novel sensor probes.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Photoluminescence: Applications
645
Photoluminescence offers a wide range of applications due to its inherent sensitivity and selectivity. This technique allows for both direct and indirect analyses of the analyte. Direct quantitative analysis is possible when the analyte exhibits a favorable quantum yield for fluorescence or phosphorescence. However, an indirect analysis may be feasible if the analyte is not fluorescent or phosphorescent, or if the quantum yield is unfavorable. Indirect methods include reacting the analyte with...
645
03:02Colors and Magnetism
12.7K
Color in Coordination Complexes
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human...
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human...
12.7K
03:31Labeling DNA Probes
8.7K
DNA probes are fragments of DNA labeled with a reporter tag to enable their detection or purification. The resulting labeled DNA probes can then hybridize to target nucleic acid sequences through complementary base-pairing, and may be used to recover or identify these regions.
Radioisotopes, fluorophores, or small molecule binding partners like biotin or digoxigenin, are the most widely used reporter tags for labeling DNA probes. These labels can be attached to the probe DNA molecule via...
Radioisotopes, fluorophores, or small molecule binding partners like biotin or digoxigenin, are the most widely used reporter tags for labeling DNA probes. These labels can be attached to the probe DNA molecule via...
8.7K