Sensing behavior and logic operation of a colorimetric fluorescence sensor for Hg2 +/Cu2 + ions

• A new colorimetric fluorescence sensor (1) was synthesized.
• 1 recognized selectively Hg2 + and Cu2 + ions by the colorimetric and fluorescence dual mode.
• Three logic gates (OR, IMPLICATION, INHIBIT) were constructed.

A BODIPY-based 1 as a colorimetric fluorescence sensor was synthesized, and its metal sensing property was investigated. 1 displayed high selectivity and sensitivity towards Hg2 + and Cu2 + ions among 15 different metal cations. The addition of Hg2 + and Cu2 + ions into 1 in CH3CN resulted in a significant bathochromic shift of the UV absorption spectra from 533 nm to 560 nm and 593 nm, respectively, changing the corresponding colors from pink to purple and blue. When excited at 530 nm, the fluorescence intensity of 1 was quenched over 75% upon addition of Hg2 + ions, while 1 with Cu2 + ions exhibited significant fluorescence enhancement with a 23 nm red-shift. Based on these results, three logic gates (OR, IMPLICATION, and INHIBIT) were obtained by controlling the chemical inputs.

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