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A fluorescence turn-on sensor for iodide based on a thymine-Hg(II)-thymine complex

Boling Ma1, Fang Zeng, Fangyuan Zheng

  • 1College of Materials Science & Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, P. R. China.

Chemistry (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|November 25, 2011
PubMed

Insights

A new fluorescence sensor detects iodide using a thymine-mercury complex. This method enables sensitive and selective iodide detection in various samples, including urine.

Area of Science:

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Iodide is crucial for thyroid function and neurological activity.
  • Accurate iodide detection is vital for food, pharmaceuticals, and biological samples.
  • Existing methods for iodide detection may lack sensitivity or selectivity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a rapid, sensitive, and selective fluorescence turn-on sensor for iodide detection.
  • To utilize a thymine-mercury(II) complex for iodide sensing.
  • To demonstrate the sensor's applicability in real-world samples like urine.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis of a fluorescent anthracene-thymine dyad (An-T).
  • Formation of a An-T-Hg(II)-T-An complex that initially quenches fluorescence.
  • Exploitation of iodide's stronger binding with mercury(II) to displace it, restoring fluorescence.

Main Results:

  • The An-T-Hg(II)-T-An complex acts as a fluorescence turn-on sensor for iodide.
  • Achieved a low detection limit of 126 nM for iodide.
  • Demonstrated high selectivity for iodide over other common anions.
  • Successfully applied the sensor to detect iodide in drinking water and urine samples.

Conclusions:

  • The developed sensor provides a novel and facile strategy for sensitive and selective iodide detection.
  • The fluorescence turn-on mechanism based on competitive binding is effective.
  • This approach offers potential for sensing other anions and broadens analytical applications.

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