A novel reaction-based fluorescent probe with a nanomolar sensitivity for detection of Hg(II) and its multiple...

An easily synthesized reaction-based probe for the fluorescence detection of Hg²⁺ ions using was reported. The designed probe exhibited "turn-on" fluorescence response towards Hg²⁺ ions via deprotection of the thiocarbonate-protecting group to alcohol in the HEPES/EtOH=8:2 (v/v, 5 mM, pH 7.4). The investigation results of probe Bzp-1 properties for Hg²⁺ detection indicated that probe Bzp-1 has satisfactory high selectivity and sensitivity. The detection limit of Bzp-1 for Hg²⁺ was found to be 4.2 nM. The recognition mechanism of Bzp-1 for Hg²⁺ was confirmed by ESI-MS. Moreover, the probe Bzp-1 has been successfully used to rapidly detect trace amounts of hazardous Hg²⁺ ions in real samples such as tap water, seafood and soil with good recoveries and less the relative standard deviations. Moreover, the Bzp-1 can also be used for fluorescence imagining of Hg²⁺ in living cells.