A new fluorescent chemodosimeter for Hg2+-selective detection in aqueous solution based on Hg2+-promoted hydrolysis of rhodamine-glyoxylic acid conjugate

• Facile synthesis of a novel Hg2+-selective fluorescent chemodosimeter.
• Operated in a near pure aqueous condition with a broad pH region.
• Hg2+-promoted hydrolysis reaction.

A novel fluorescent probe (RBHA) for Hg2+ was facilely synthesized by one-step condensation between rhodamine B hydrazide and glyoxylic acid. The probe could selectively detect Hg2+ in a near pure aqueous condition with a broad pH region of 5–10. A good linear relationship between the fluorescence intensity and the Hg2+ concentration was found in the range of 5.0–200 μM (R2 = 0.9825) with a detection limit of 1.0 μM (S/N = 3). Based on MALDI-TOF-MS analysis, a sensing mechanism of Hg2+-promoted hydrolysis of rhodamine-glyoxylic acid conjugate was proposed. This probe was applied for detection of Hg2+ in tap water samples with satisfying results and fluorescence imaging in living cells.

A novel Hg2+-selective fluorescent chemodosimeter (RBHA) was facilely synthesized by one-step condensation between rhodamine B hydrazide and glyoxylic acid. The probe was operated in a near pure aqueous condition with a broad pH region as well as potentially used for fluorescence imaging of Hg2+ in living cells. The Hg2+-promoted hydrolysis reaction mechanism was proposed based on by MALDI-TOF-MS analysis.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide