A highly selective turn-on sensor for Hg2Â + based on a phosphorescent iridium (III) complex

A highly selective phosphorescent chemosensor for Hg2 + based on the iridium (III) complex Ir(DTBT)2(acac) (DTBT = 2-(5-(1,2 dihydroacenaphthylen-5-yl)thiophen-2-yl)benzothiazole, acac = acetylacetone) was synthesized and characterized. Ir(DTBT)2(acac) exhibited relatively weak fluorescenceat at about 700 nm. Ir(DTBT)2(acac) displayed a dramatic color change from near-infrared to yellow-green with the addition of Hg2 +. More significantly, the chemosensor performed “turn-on” phosphorescent responses toward Hg2 +.