New rhodamine dimer probes for mercury detection via color changes and enhancement of the fluorescence emission: Fast recognition in cellulose supported devices

• Two novel rhodamine dimmers linked by a sulfur containing unit were reported.
• The dimmers were used to recognize Hg2+ in absolute ethanol solution.
• The recognition of Hg2+ with the rhodamine probes in gas phase was also explored.
• The rhodamine derivatives permit the fast detection of Hg2+ in aqueous phase.

Two rhodamine dimer compounds exhibiting high selectivity and sensitivity for Hg2+ over other metal cations have been studied in absolute ethanol solution. Increase in the absorption and emission signals with a color change from colorless to pink were observed in both cases. Recognition of Hg2+ with both compounds in the gas phase was also explored. Immobilization of the rhodamine probes in cellulose supported systems to evaluate their efficiency on the fast detection of Hg2+ in aqueous phase was also reported.

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