A potential fluorescent Hg(II) chemosensor

An imidazole-based ligand has been evaluated for a potential fluorescent Hg(II) sensing probe. In water-acetonitrile solvent system, the ligand exhibits a unique selectivity towards Hg(II), which not only modulates fluorescence intensity but also shifts the emission band. The fluorescence reduction and the emission shift correlate with Hg(II) concentrations.