A highly selective and femto-molar sensitive fluorescence 'turn-on' chemodosimeter for Hg2+

A selective fluorescence 'turn-on' chemodosimeter N,N′-bis-(4-cyanobenzylidene)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene-1,3-diamine (3) based on a Schiff base for femto-molar detection of the Hg2+ has been described. It presents the highest level of detection limit for Hg2+ through Schiff base hydrolysis.