Spectral properties of highly selective chemosensor for Hg2+

• Dye 1 was synthesized and its cation sensing properties were investigated.
• The dye 1 exhibited high selectivity for Hg2+ as compared with other cations.
• Dye 1-F− complex also could be recovered by adding Hg2+.

A (E)-2-(2-(2-(1H-indol-3-yl)vinyl)-4H-chromen-4-ylidene)malononitrile (dye 1) was synthesized and its cation sensing properties in DMSO were investigated by UV–vis spectroscopy. Upon the addition of Hg2+, the solution of dye 1 showed color change and the absorption band shows a formation of a 1:1 dye 1-Hg2+ coordination complex. The dye 1 exhibited high selectivity for Hg2+ as compared with other cations. Interestingly, the dye 1-F− complex also could be recovered by adding Hg2+. We have investigated the ability of complex formation based on the association constant, Kass; the binding ability for the complex formation of dye 1-F− and Hg2+ is greater than that of the dye 1 with F−.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide