Highly selective and sensitive fluorescent probe for mercury ions based on a novel rhodol-coumarin hybrid dye

- New fluorescent probe has been prepared based on novel rhodol-coumarin hybrid dye.
- The probe can respond to Hg2+ with high selectivity and sensitivity.
- The probe can be used for imaging of Hg2+ in living cells.

A fluorescent probe RCHg based on a novel rectilinear π-extended rhodol-coumarin hybrid dye has been designed and synthesized for the detection of Hg2+ ions. Via a specific Hg2+-promoted ring-opening and desulfurization cascade reaction, RCHg shows high selectivity and sensitivity for Hg2+ detection and with a detection limit down to the nanomolar range. At the same time, the probe RCHg is living cell membrane permeable and should be suitable for practical application in vitro.

A selective and sensitive fluorescent probe RCHg based on a novel rhodol-coumarin hybrid dye RC has been developed for “turn-on” fluorescence detection and imaging of Hg2+ ions.491