A new BODIPY-based fluorescent “turn-on” probe for highly selective and rapid detection of mercury ions

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.tetlet.2018.10.068

A new fluorescent sensor based on the BODIPY fluorophore and the carboxyl-thiol metal bonding receptor for Hg²⁺ was designed and synthesized. The sensor is highly selective for Hg²⁺ (about 630-fold fluorescence enhancement) over relevant competing metal ions, sensitive to ppb levels of Hg²⁺ (with detection limit of 5.7 nM), and fast response toward Hg²⁺ (within 30 s) in aqueous solution.